Whiplash And Headaches
Whiplash is a common injury resulting from accidents, in particular being struck from behind while in a car. The flexing of the neck often leads to injury of the sternocleidomastoids (the large muscles down the front of the neck) and the longus colli (the muscle in front of the spine that turns and bends the head). Headaches, especially in the back of the head, are a common result of whiplash.
Since whiplash usually only causes damage to the soft tissues in the neck, most treatments are centered around reducing the inflammation and supporting the neck muscles during the healing process.
The treating healthcare provider may take X-rays or perform an MRI of the neck to check for other injuries or spinal problems. Headaches resulting from whiplash are usually treated by efforts to reduce the swelling in the neck using cold compression therapy and other conservative measures.
Range of motion exercises (as directed by a qualified physical therapist) can also be beneficial in treating headaches resulting from whiplash. Reducing the strain on the neck muscles is important in obtaining relief from headaches caused by whiplash. As the muscles relax, there will be less tension on the nerve endings in the cervical spine--and that helps reduce the pain.
Treating Whiplash and Headaches
Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ (BFST®) will promote blood flow to your upper back and neck to improve the health of your damaged soft tissue more completely and whisk away toxins faster than any other methods available.
Tortoise Shellz® Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™
After severe inflammation and swelling is reduced you can begin to treat your neck and back with Blood Flow Stimulation Therapy™ (BFST®). BFST® increases the amount of blood that flows naturally to your muscle fibers to nourish your soft tissue which speeds healing.
When you rest your back and neck or stop moving around because it hurts, the natural blood flow to your muscles is reduced, limiting your body's ability to heal itself.
By treating your muscles with BFST® you can increase your body's blood supply to the muscle fibers and increase your body's natural healing power.
The Tortoise Shellz® is the tool you need to treat your neck and upper back because not only does it speeds healing, it relaxes all you muscles. With BFST®, tissues are safely and gently stimulated. Your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to injured tissue cells to promote healing and loosen the tissue. Our Tortoise Shellz® Upper Back Therapy Vest provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief and healing with no side effects.
In addition, the improved blood flow whisks away dead cells and toxins that have built up from your muscle strain, further reducing tightness and pain. When you stop moving your back due to pain, your muscles and other tissue can become weaker and dead cells and toxins in the area can cause further tissue deterioration - this can lead to atrophy (muscle weakness and/or deterioration). By clearing the area of toxins and increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients to your muscle and other tissue, the risk of atrophy is greatly reduced. Keeping your muscle tissue as healthy as possible throughout the healing process will allow you to improve muscle strength again once your pain has gone and your strain has healed.
Freezie Wrap® Cold Compression Therapy
To decrease pain, swelling and inflammation caused by whiplash doctor's recommend cold compression therapy. For an acute strain, cold compression therapy within the first 48 - 72 hours and after any restrain is important to limit the amount of damage done to your tissue. Cold compression therapy will relieve pain and swelling as needed and will reduce, or even eliminate, the need for NSAIDs and pain medications.
The Back/Hip Freezie Wrap® is the cold compression tool you need to treat your upper back pain in an effective and convenient way. It is so versatile it can be worn anywhere over your chest, back, or hip for treatment where you need it.
Cold Compression Therapy works by interrupting and slowing nerve and cell function in the injured area and reducing swelling that can block blood vessels. This is important because once blood vessels are blocked or damaged, they can no longer carry oxygenated blood through your muscle and tissue cells begin to break-down. Without cold compression therapy cellular break-down and tissue damage continues as the cells do not get the oxygen they need to survive. By limiting the amount of damage done to your tissue, you also limit the amount of healing that needs to occur. This is a very important step to heal your muscle strain faster and with less pain!
The deep cooling effect provided by the Freezie Wrap® slows cell metabolism thereby reducing cellular break-down and tissue damage. Furthermore, because the cold wraps gently numb the nerves, the wraps also reduce pain!
The Freezie Wrap® uses a supercharged cooling gel pack, that chills in the fridge, not in the freezer like ice or other freezer packs, giving you deep cold therapy without the risk of 'cold burns' or cryoburn.
With these easy-to-use, home therapies, cold compression and BFST®, you will notice significantly reduced pain and an incredible improvement in your back and neck pain. The more diligent you are with your treatment and rehabilitation, the faster you will see successful results!
Please be aware that this information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.