Best Whiplash Neck Pain Exercises

Have you recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident? If so, then your neck might be a bit sore. There is a chance you are suffering from an injury called whiplash. Whiplash can be incredibly uncomfortable, and you might have a difficult time completing your daily routine. Even though you may think you need to undergo a dangerous procedure to fix it, this is not always the case. You might be able to recover from this injury in the comfort of your own home. What is whiplash, and what are a few whiplash exercises that can help you recover? Learn more about the treatment process below, and remember to reach out to a chiropractor who can help you.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is the name used to describe an injury that occurs when the neck moves back & forth or side to side quickly. If there are rapid changes in momentum, you may have a difficult time keeping your head still. Therefore, your neck could bounce around, leading to whiplash.

During this process, you could develop a sprain of the cervical ligaments in the neck. This is the exact injury that leads to whiplash. When you suffer this injury, you might have a difficult time moving your neck back and forth or side-to-side. For example, you might have a difficult time looking down at the screen on your phone. Or you might have a difficult time turning your head from side to side to look for cars that might be coming. This can be a frustrating injury, and you should see a healthcare professional as soon as possible following a motor vehicle accident. Then, there are a few exercises that can help you recover.

Chin Tucks

One of the most helpful exercises that could aid in the recovery process is called the chin tuck. The goal of this exercise is to stretch the muscles and ligaments in the cervical spine.

The steps involved in this exercise include:

• First, lie flat on your back. Look straight at the ceiling.
• Then, take your chin and tuck it toward your chest.
• Hold your chin in this position for approximately five seconds. You should feel a comfortable stretch from your chin to the back of your head and neck.
• Then, release your chin and return it to the starting position.

You can perform this exercise several times to gradually stretch the muscles and ligaments in your neck. This could help you recover from whiplash more quickly.

Side To Side Head Turns

Another exercise you may want to perform is the side-to-side head turn. This exercise can increase the mobility in your neck, helping you restore your range of motion.

The steps involved in this exercise include:

• Start by lying flat on your back.
• Then, take your chin and rotate it to the right as far as you can. Try to touch your chin to your right shoulder. You can also use your hand to pull your chin further if you would like.
• Once you have pulled your chin as far as it will go, hold your chin in this position for approximately 20 seconds.
• After this, repeat the same thing with the other shoulder. Turn your chin to the left as far as it will go. Try to touch your chin to your shoulder.
• Hold the position again for 20 seconds.

You can repeat this exercise for several repetitions. The goal is to stretch the ligaments and your neck as far as they will go. That way, you can restore your range of motion.

The Side Bend

Another easy exercise you can perform is called the side bend. The goal is to increase your mobility in your neck while decreasing ligament and muscle tightness.

To perform this exercise, the steps you should follow include:

• Start by lying flat on your back.
• Then, use your left hand to pull your head to the left. You should try to touch your ear to your shoulder.
• Once you have pulled your neck as far as it will go, hold the position for 20 seconds.
• Then, repeat the process on the other side. Use your right hand to pull your head to the right. Try to touch your ear to your right shoulder.
• Once you have pulled your neck as far as it will go, hold the position for 20 seconds.

You can repeat this exercise several times to get a nice stretch in your neck. Gradually, you should feel your ligaments and tendons start to loosen up, restoring your range of motion.

See a Local Chiropractor

Even though these exercises can be helpful, it is important to see a local chiropractor. Even if you have gone to the emergency room following a motor vehicle accident, you need to work with a chiropractor who can help you complete the recovery process. Even though you may feel like whiplash is something that will get better on its own, it is always better to work with a chiropractor who can expedite the process for you.

A chiropractor can take a look at the alignment of the vertebrae in your neck. Then, he or she can perform adjustments to make sure the vertebrae are aligned properly. Adjustments are important because they free ligaments that could be tight following a motor vehicle accident.

Then, a chiropractor can also show you exercises you can do at home. In addition to the exercises above, there could be other maneuvers that might be helpful. You need to do everything you can to recover from a cervical ligament sprain. A local chiropractor can help you get there.

Contact Dr. Wagner Today For Help With Whiplash

It can be frustrating to deal with whiplash following a motor vehicle accident. You might have a difficult time driving a car, looking at your phone, or reading a book. Fortunately, this is not something you need to deal with by yourself.

If you are looking for a chiropractor who can help you, then look no further than Dr. Wagner. We have a tremendous amount of experience working with individuals who have developed a cervical ligament sprain following a motor vehicle accident. We will listen to your questions and concerns, customizing our treatment plan to meet your needs. Then, we will follow up with you to make sure everything is proceeding as expected. It would be our honor to leverage our skills to help you. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you after a car accident, please contact us today to make an appointment with our team. We look forward to meeting you.

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