Whiplash & Concussions
Whiplash & Concussions
Whiplash and concussion symptoms – from auto accidents, sports injuries, falls, and trauma – are conditions that often respond well to integrative therapies. Different therapeutic modalities are like different languages that your body speaks – the key is to find the right language (or combination of languages) that your body will listen to. At Stepping Stone Acupuncture & Wellness, we offer many services that can benefit patients suffering from symptoms of whiplash or concussions, either as stand-alone therapies or in combination with one another. When it comes to hands-on medicine, we find that the whole is often greater than the sum of the parts.
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle hands-on manual therapy technique. The craniosacral system extends from the head (cranium) to the sacrum and includes the central nervous system. A craniosacral therapist can feel and rebalance the rhythm of cerebrospinal fluid flow, which covers your bones, joints, and sutures. Craniosacral Therapy seeks to reset the nervous system, which operates on high alert when you are in a state of pain. It can reduce tension held in the body’s membranes, as well as calm activated nerve fibers between the sutures of the skull. Craniosacral Therapy addresses many of the common symptoms of concussions such as headaches, fatigue, trouble focusing, and dizziness. It is also a very gentle and effective treatment for neck pain.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of single-use, sterile, solid needles into specific acupuncture points on the body to reduce tension and pain, overcome disease, and rebalance the body. Your treatments will be tailored to your presentation of the whiplash or concussion symptoms. Additional Chinese Medicine methods such as cupping and gua sha manual therapy may be included in acupuncture sessions, when appropriate. Acupuncture can reduce muscle tension and pain, calm the nervous system, and promote a state of relaxation so your body can truly heal.
Therapeutic Massage – which incorporates Swedish massage, myofascial release, deep tissue, and sports massage techniques – works to reduce muscle tension and pain, improve circulation, and increase range of motion to treat neck and back pain following a fall or trauma. However, therapeutic massage should not be undertaken immediately following the traumatic event, as your muscles are likely bracing to prevent further pain. When symptoms linger for a long time, massage can help to reduce neck pain, back pain, and headaches. Please speak to your practitioner about when therapeutic massage may be right for you.
Chinese Herbal Medicine works on the same principles as acupuncture – but the herbs work from the inside-out, whereas acupuncture works from the outside-in. Herbs are taken in a formula of 2-20 herbs working together to create balance in the body, reduce pain and inflammation, and boost your body’s natural resources. Formulas are customized to your presentation of concussion or whiplash symptoms, and can help to reduce pain, improve sleep, and calm anxiety. Herbs are prescribed in pills, teas, tinctures, powders, or raw herbs to decoct at home.
Integrative Physical Therapy is a unique approach to orthopedic physical therapy, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of neuromuscular dysfunction, issues, and injury. After a thorough evaluation, your physical therapist will come up with an individualized treatment plan that utilizes corrective exercise, manual therapy techniques, and a wide array of holistic modalities. Specialized physical therapy and osteopathic techniques can gently aid both the soft tissues and the nervous system in recovering after a concussion, as well as addressing neck pain, back pain, and headaches from the injury.
In addition to these services, we may also recommend topical herbal applications, diet and lifestyle modifications, and aromatherapy to further support you on your journey. We also have a large referral network and may refer out to other specialists as necessary.