EVERETT, Wash., June 16, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Chiropractic in Everett, WA is raising awareness about the importance of promptly treating whiplash injuries following an auto accident. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained during a car accident. Symptoms include neck pain, headaches, migraines, difficulty concentrating, restricting cervical spine mobility and difficulty sleeping. Chiropractor Dr. Mike Ilyankoff is warning accident victims that a delay seeking treatment can lead to long-term pain and health problems. Prompt injury diagnosis and treatment will help correct the cervical spine misalignment responsible for causing pain and help to prevent long-term health problems.
Car accident victims should seek prompt diagnostic care following their accident in order to avoid chronic pain, say Everett chiropractors Drs. Mike and Lisa Ilyankoff. The two chiropractors are raising awareness about the dangers of whiplash injuries and the difference prompt treatment can make for pain management.
"Whiplash is one of the most common auto accident injuries," said Dr. Lisa Ilyankoff. "Unfortunately, despite this injury's frequent occurrence, it is often misdiagnosed or not treated. Car injury victims must educate themselves about the symptoms of this injury so they can seek prompt treatment and avoid long-term health problems."
A whiplash injury occurs when the force of a rear-impact car crash "whips" the cervical spine beyond its normal range of motion. This whipping action causes a misalignment of the cervical spine, characterized by hyperflexion in the upper cervical spine and hyperextension in the lower cervical spine.
"Abnormal spinal curvature places extra pressure on the nearby nerves, which can trigger pain," said Dr. Mike Ilyankoff. "As long as this pressure persists, so too will a patient's pain. Chiropractic care helps bring proper alignment back to the spine, reducing the hyperflexion and hyperextension that is triggering pain."
Drs. Lisa and Mike Ilyankoff recommend that auto injury victims talk to a chiropractor as soon as possible following an auto accident. While many injury victims experience numbness or stiffness in the neck immediately following the accident, few seek treatment with a chiropractor.
"Traditional medical care relies on drugs to numb pain," said Dr. Lisa Ilyankoff. "While medication can help relieve neck pain, it is not a long-term solution and may even lead to painkiller dependency. Chiropractic care is an effective, drug-free treatment option that brings proper alignment back to the spine, alleviating pain by correcting the underlying injury."
The chiropractors recommend accident victims watch out for the symptoms of a whiplash injury. These symptoms include: neck pain, headaches, migraines, difficulty concentrating, general stiffness and reduced mobility. Some victims may also have a difficult time sleeping at night due to neck pain.
"A prompt evaluation is the best way to identify the injury and begin chiropractic care treatments," said Dr. Mike Ilyankoff. "The earlier patients begin treatment, they less pain they will experience."
Auto accident victims can learn more about treating whiplash injuries by visiting http://cornerchiro.com/.