What should I do after a car accident in Toronto, Ontario?
Should I see a Chiropractor for Whiplash and my Car Accident injuries?
By Dr. Rafael Bagheri, DC
Helse Scarborough Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic
Toronto, Ontario
Being involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) can be a very stressful situation for anyone. Injuries caused by a MVA can range from simple neck stiffness to something complex as a traumatic brain injury which can last for years. The majority of our Patients will experience neck pain and stiffness but it is likely that other symptoms may also be present, like headaches, dizziness, and low back pain. These collection of symptoms tend to confuse Patients, as many will think of Whiplash as just neck pain immediately occurring after the Car Accident. However many Patients will experience pain and stiffness a couple days after the MVA, making it look like the pain is not associated with the Car Accident. If you have questions and would like answers, Helse Scarborough Chiropractic Clinic is here to help.
Can Chiropractic Care help with injuries caused by a Car Accident? Yes, Chiropractors specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Musculoskeletal injuries caused by a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA). Using evidence-based therapies, Dr. Rafael and his team are well equipped treating musculoskeletal injuries, like Whiplash Associated Disorder.
What is Whiplash? The Majority of Patients involved in a MVA will suffer from Whiplash-Associated Disorder (WAD) known simply as Whiplash. Whiplash commonly occurs in a MVA due to the acceleration-deceleration forces acting upon the head and neck during a Car Accident injuring the neck muscles and surrounding tissues. It is common for Patients to experience delayed onset of pain, neck stiffness, headaches and occasionally dizziness. Rarely, the Patient may experience neurological symptoms, like sharp radiating pain into the arms, weakness, and numbness.
MVA Diagnosis
Doctors of Chiropractic (Chiropractors) are able to communicate a diagnosis for your MVA injuries to identify the cause of a patient’s symptoms.
Whiplash is graded depending on the severity of symptoms and structural damage to the surrounding musculoskeletal structures. Typically Patients will present to the Chiropractic clinic showing signs and symptoms for Whiplash I, II, and III.
Whiplash-Associated Disorder (WAD) Grades (adapted from Quebec Task Force on WAD & Bone/Joint Decade 2000-2010):
WAD-I: Pain symptoms and neck stiffness with no interference to normal Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
WAD-II: Musculoskeletal signs, neck pain and stiffness, with substantial interference with to ADL.
WAD-III: Signs and Symptoms of WAD-II with neurological symptoms numbness and weakness.
WAD-IV: Structural pathologies, for example: spinal fractures and vertebral dislocation.
How can we Help? At Helse Scarborough Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic we have years of experience treating MVA Patients with the latest manual and physical therapies. Our team, lead by Dr. Rafael Bagheri, has years of experience balancing evidence-based therapies with a Patient-centred approach have resulted in successful treatment of Patients suffering from even the most complex Whiplash Associated Disorder.
At Helse Scarborough, we use evidence-based therapies to treat the Patient’s Whiplash and MVA injuries. Our team is well-versed in physical rehabilitation and manual therapies, using our clinical expertise to create a unique treatment plan.
MVA Treatment
Request MVA Appointment or Complimentary Consultation