A closer look at Whiplash...

Let's look into Whiplash a little more.

When you think of whiplash, most people immediately think "car accident." But a fall or many types of repetitive movement may also cause whiplash. Sometimes the symptoms from whiplash take days or even weeks to manifest themselves, but the damage it causes can last for years.

What exactly is whiplash?

It's a condition in which the joints in the back of the neck, joints that usually slide easily over one another, are forced together, causing damage to the nerves, discs, ligaments and muscles all around them.

What are the symptoms?

Generally, these include headaches, dizziness, neck and arm pain, decreased attention span, an inability to focus and fatigue. These symptoms can be both very painful and downright debilitating to the whiplash sufferer.

It helps to visit one of our member chiropractors immediately for a thorough examination if you have been involved in an accident and suspect that you might be the victim of a whiplash injury. The earlier you establish the proper intervention, via chiropractic adjustments, the better your chances for a full recovery.

Help for old injuries

Of course, chiropractic adjustments also help older whiplash injuries, but recovery is usually slower and care during the acute phase generally takes longer.

We manage whiplash injuries with careful and precise neck adjustments, sometimes ice and rehabilitative exercises that are designed to address the injured neck and shoulder muscles and joints. This has been shown to be very effective in managing the symptoms of whiplash, particularly the headaches that often accompany this type of injury.

Don't wait any longer to experience relief from an old or new injury. Contact one of our member chiropractors today!

You can visit Dr. Elton at Family First Chiropractic at 142 Erickson Drive in Red Deer, AB. Tel: (403)347-3261 www.family1stchiro.ca

Massage to Help Soft-Tissue Injuries to Heal

Injury Massage to Help Soft-
Tissue Injuries Heal 

            Using targeted injury massage techniques on soft-tissue injuries (such as muscle pulls and strains, tendinitis, ligament sprains, and whiplash) can help them heal faster.

Massage reduces spasm, pain, and swelling. Massage can also prevent the formation of excess scar tissue or reduce excess scar tissue and adhesion (stuck together tissue) that weaken muscles and make you prone to another injury.

Guy LacoursiereR.M.T is located at Family First Chiropractic. 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. To book an appointment with him call us at 403-347-3261. www.family1stchiro.ca.

Water Sports, Kids, and Injuries

Water Sports, Kids and Injuries

Summer time is here! Kids love to enjoy the hot weather near water whether it’s in the backyard on a slip and slide, at the pool, spray park or down by the lake or near the river. Along with the fun enjoyed by the youngsters comes slips and falls and the resulting injuries can include head and neck pain, lowback pain  and whiplash.

Many of these injuries are preventable by avoiding running near wet poolsides or on diving boards, for example. Surfaces that are constantly wet should have a gritty texture to improve traction.

Inevitably, kids will be kids and their enthusiasm will ultimately lead to injuries from time to time. Your friendly chiropractor can help your child get back to enjoying the pool and warm sun by adjusting your child’s neck and back to alleviate any spinal problems incurred by slips and falls. Dr. Joelle Johnson of Family First chiropractic and wellness has extensive training in pediatric chiropractic and is a member if the ICPA. The clinic is located at 142 Erickson drive, Red Deer 403-347-3261 to book your children in today. www.family1stchiro.ca