The 2017 winter in Portland was insane in regards to weather. Portland winters are infamously wet, but temperatures are typically mild and snowfall is rare. Not last winter you say. This past January, Portland saw it’s biggest snowfall in the last 20 years. According to an article in the Oregonian, over January 10th and 11th, snow depth was recorded to be 8 inches at the airport and 11.8 inches downtown, shutting the city down for days.
Unless you are accustomed to it and have a snow-ready vehicle, driving in the snow and ice can be scary, not to mention dangerous. The scariest scenario? Black ice. Black ice can form when snow melts creating wetness and puddles in the road. Then, if the temperature drops, ice forms on paved surfaces. What makes black ice so treacherous is that it is virtually invisible and very hard for drivers to spot. Many drivers don’t realize they are on black ice until it’s too late, sending them skidding into guardrails, trees, or other vehicles.
Many of these weather-related fender-benders result in whiplash. Whiplash is a severe jolting of the neck in a forward or backward motion causing strains and sprains in the neck. Symptoms can occur immediately, or not develop until 24 hours after the initial injury. Symptoms include, neck pain, shoulder pain, dizziness, low back pain, headaches, and difficulty concentrating.
Lesser known symptoms are inability to sleep, ringing in the ears, and irritability.
Hopefully our winter this year will be mild and uneventful. If we do have a Snowmageddon 2018 and you find yourself in a motor vehicle accident, come see us at Devine Chiropractic.
Every whiplash patient is different, but you can expect one or a combination of all of the following treatments:
- Spinal manipulations: By correcting subluxations, or misalignment of the spine, the doctor is able to restore mobility and encourage healing in the muscles and tissues in the neck.
- Massage: Therapeutic massage works to ease tension and pain in the neck.
- Graston technique: The doctor uses instruments in a gentle, repetitive, stroking motion to treat and mobilize injured soft tissues.
- Nutritional therapies: The doctor may discuss the addition or elimination of certain foods into your diet in order to promote healing and decrease pain.