Atlanta Chiropractor Blog

Whiplash can be a real pain -- and we mean that literally! At our chiropractic and wellness center, our chiropractors frequently see whiplash injuries, which can result from many different things but often happen after a car accident or an injury at home or at work. Our Atlanta chiropractor, Dr. Senft, is experienced with dealing with this type of injury, and chiropractic care at or wellness center may be one of the most effective ways for clients to deal with this often-painful and sometimes lingering injury. 

Dr. Senft is sharing some of the signs of whiplash today, because our clients need to know what to look out for, and what to do if it happens to them.

Neck pain is often the first and most obvious sign of whiplash. This happens because the client often had some type of fall or impact (like an auto accident) that caused the neck and head to quickly snap forward and back. The neck pain can include both the back of the neck and the front area of the neck, around the throat area.

The next sign of whiplash is a headache. The headache may develop right away or it may take some time to start, but a headache -- either a nagging persistent one or a sporadic stabbing headache -- is an indication that you may be dealing with whiplash.

Back pain is another frequently seen sign of whiplash. The back pain is a result of the sudden impact to the spine, and may be centered in any area of the back -- upper, lower, middle back, or even the entire back.

People who have neck pain, headache, back pain, or any new and different pain in the days following an accident where the body sustained any type of impact may be dealing with whiplash. Our Atlanta area chiropractor is familiar with this type of injury and we are always glad to set up a consultation appointment for new clients, or discuss any health issues with our existing clients.

Questions or comments about chiropractic and how it can help whiplash? Please post here so we can answer!

Have you ever embarked on a journey without a map or a plan on how to get there?
Has your pilot ever said, “Sit down and buckle up? I have no idea how we are going to get there but we will eventually get there?”

I hope not. And as funny as it may sound, some people really don’t plan out their journey with a detailed thought out plan before hitting the road.
This includes the road to health and wellness.

As with any trip, you need to know where you are going.  Some destinations might include:

• The End To Major Headaches… Migraine, New York

• Solution To Back & Leg Pain … Sciatica,  Indiana

• Remove This Neck Pain… Whiplash, North Carolina

• Improve My Posture …. Atlanta Spine, Georgia

Well guess what? Senft Chirpractic in Atlanta has all the road maps to get you started. You can call us the triple A of chiropractic care.

We have wellness programs custom designed for your journey to complete health and wellness.

 It all begins with one call and a consultation. We put our heads together and lay out your road map with rest spots along the way which includes, massage therapy, nutrition guidelines, stress management and spine alignments. We will listen to you and your concerns as we put together your personal treatment program that will get you to that painless destination.

So what are you waiting for?  You know this trip is long overdue. Make it the trip of a lifetime that will change your health forever. Call Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta and book you destination with our health and wellness professionals. We will be standing by. Drinks with umbrellas not included.

Call Today! 404-633-6787

We hope you enjoyed this edition of our blog and encourage you to leave a comment.

An Atlanta Chiropractor comments:

Neck pain (also referred to as cervical pain) will affect almost everybody at some point in their lives. Whether you have had an auto accident injury in Atlanta or just slept in the wrong position, neck pain can have a serious negative effect on your daily activities. For those with severe or chronic neck pain, the pain can seriously deteriorate a person's quality of life.

Different types of neck pain are associated with a variety of different symptoms, but a licensed Atlanta chiropractor such as Dr. Senft has extensive experience determining the root cause of a patient’s pain. Different spinal conditions can cause complex pain symptoms that may often seem unrelated. Dr. Senft will begin by evaluating your individual symptoms and health history so he can treat the true problem instead of just the pain symptoms you are experiencing.

Some common symptoms that are associated with neck pain include:

• Pain becomes worse when moving the neck in certain ways or into certain positions
• Numbness or tingling
• Shoulder pain or stiffness 
• Sharp shooting pain
• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swishing sounds that seem to be coming from inside the head
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  
• Gland swelling
• General feeling of ‘fuzzy headedness’

Since the onset of neck pain, some patients may notice that their neck ‘pops’ more on its own than it used to. This sometimes is an indication that the spine or neck is out of alignment and is trying to get back into the proper alignment.

Neck pain has many causes including degenerative disc disease, general neck strain, soft tissue injuries such as whiplash, a misalignment in the spine, a herniated disc or a pinched nerve. At Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta, Dr. Senft has extensive experience treating patients with neck pain, including chronic pain cases and injuries such as sport or auto accident injuries. Dr. Senft has a special interest in treating the symptoms of whiplash in Atlanta using pain management modalities and his comprehensive understanding of how whiplash affects the body.

If you are experiencing neck pain in Atlanta, don't suffer for another day! Contact Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta and start your wellness journey towards a pain-free life!

New Patient Special Offers at Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta!

Request An Appointment Online
2987 Clairmont Rd, Suite 105
Atlanta, GA 30329

Map of Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta

An Atlanta Chiropractor comments:

Headaches and migraines are common symptoms for many people and can range from being a mild nuisance to a severe hindrance on performing life’s daily activities. Migraines are severely painful headaches which often are recurring and are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as an "aura" and nausea. A migraine with aura is accompanied by visual disturbance (such as seeing stars and zigzag lines or experiencing a temporary blind spot) which usually appear about 30 minutes before the headache commences with full force. Headaches and migraines are also commonly accompanied by other symptoms such as throbbing, pounding or pulsating pain, appetite loss, dizziness or vertigo, feeling tired or drained and parts of the body may feel numb, weak, or tingly. When suffering from a migraine, people often feel more pain from bending over, light, noise, or movement. As a result, migraine sufferers often want to lie down in a dark quiet room.

Chronic migraine sufferers may experience warning signs before the headaches starts such as a craving for sweets, thirst, sleepiness, or depression. After the headache is gone, additional symptoms may linger such as neck pain, sleepiness, and feeling mentally dull. Although there is no cure for chronic migraines, the condition can be often be managed by reducing the frequency of attacks and attempting to reduce pain once an attack starts. Chiropractic care is an extremely safe alternative to prescription pain medications, which are often the main treatment prescribed by medical doctors.

Causes of Chronic Headaches and Migraines:

Researchers are not completely sure what causes some people to experience chronic migraines; though they know that it involves abnormal changes in the blood flow in the brain. There also seems to be a genetic link with chronic migraine headaches, where over half of migraine patients have a family member who also suffers from migraines. However, many therapies, including chiropractic care and adjustments, have been demonstrated to provide relief for pain from migraines as well as reduce the occurrence of migraines and headaches.

How Effective is Chiropractic Care For Migraines and Headaches?

Several clinical trials indicate that spinal manipulation therapy, spinal decompression, and other types of chiropractic care may be helpful in the treatment of migraine headaches. In one study of people with migraines, more than a fifth of those who received chiropractic manipulation reported more than a 90% reduction of attacks and about half of respondents reported a significant reduction of the intensity of each migraine.

In another study, people with migraine headaches were randomly assigned to receive spinal manipulation, a daily medication (Elavil), or a combination of both. Spinal manipulation was as effective as prescription medication Elavil in reducing migraines and had fewer side effects. There was no added benefit to combining the two therapies.

In addition, researchers reviewed 9 studies that tested spinal manipulative therapy for tension or migraine headaches and found that it was as effective as medications in preventing these headaches.

Dr. Senft Has Over 25 Years of Experience Treating Headaches and Migraines in Atlanta

At Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta, 2nd generation chiropractor Dr. Senft has been helping patients with headaches or migraines in Atlanta since he first opened his chiropractic center in 1985. Instead of just treating the symptoms, Atlanta Chiropractor Dr. Senft will evaluate your detailed medical history and give you a comprehensive examination in order to determine what is causing your headaches or migraines. You will be asked questions about when your headaches occur, how long they last, how frequently they come on, the location of the pain, and any symptoms that accompany or precede the headaches. 

After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Senft will prescribe a personalized chiropractic plan to attack the root of the problem and help your body heal from the inside out. Patients are able to control their migraines with a combination of chiropractic care, lifestyle changes, and other complementary therapies which may be deemed necessary depending on your unique situation.

If you are suffering from chronic headaches or migraines in Atlanta, then don’t suffer another day! Contact Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta at 404-633-6787 to request a personalized consultation today!

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Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta
404-633-6787
2987 Clairmont Rd, Suite 105
Atlanta, GA 30329
Get Driving Directions to Senft Chiropractic Atlanta

An Atlanta Chiropractor comments:

At Senft Chiropractic in Atlanta, we often see patients who have experienced an auto accident injury in Atlanta. We want to discuss with you today on the options you have to prevent yourself from getting in an auto accident over the holidays. You may not know that you are at a higher risk during the holidays to get in an auto accident, but it makes sense if you think about the number of stressed people on the road. However, you don’t need to just accept this increased risk because most holiday accidents can be prevented by following these holiday driving tips!

Why are there more auto accidents over the holidays?

There are many reasons why there are more auto accidents in Atlanta over the holidays. For one, there are just more people on the road, whether they are taking a short shopping trip to one of Atlanta’s many malls and shopping centers, or driving across Georgia to visit family. There is also an increase in parties which may involve drinking around the holidays, and statistically there are more drivers under the influence out on the roads.  When you take into account that people are generally stressed and in a hurry around the holidays, you can see that we’ve created a disastrous recipe for holiday auto accidents.

Don’t fret, most auto accidents can be prevented. Take the initiative and prevent yourself from being involved in an auto accident in Atlanta by following the prevention tips outlined below.

Tips to Prevent a Holiday Auto Accident

Follow these easy tips to substantially reduce your chance of becoming involved in an auto accident in Atlanta. If you’re going on a trip away from home, it’s even more important to follow these tips so you don’t have an accident far away from home.

1. Change your oil: Even if you still have a few hundred miles before your next scheduled oil change, you should still get the next oil change done early if possible. Changing your oil will improve lubrication in your engine, and fresh oil also picks up many types of impurities. By regularly changing your oil, you can help keep your car or truck in tip-top shape.
2. Inspect your tires: The first thing to take into account when looking at your tires is the amount of tread. You can check the tread by ensuring that the grooves in your tires are at least 2/32" deep (the legal limit). If you are going to be traveling in the rain or snow, you should have treads with grooves that are 4/32” or 6/32” deep. Treads with deep enough grooves will help your tires perform better in bad driving conditions. In addition to the treads, you also want to check your tire’s air pressure since correctly inflated tires will improve your automobile’s handling and reduce your chances of getting a flat tire. Properly inflated tires with a good amount of tread could help you avoid an auto accident!
3. Plan for traffic: Allow plenty of extra traveling time to account for the heavy traffic which occurs immediately before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
4. Follow posted speed limits and adjust your speed to driving conditions: Time is precious during the holidays, but being in a hurry and speeding are major causes of holiday accidents. Plan ahead to allow enough time for your driving trip (taking into account Tip 3) and make sure that you pay attention to changing conditions and drive at or under the speed limit. Pay attention to other drivers on the road and drive defensively. These small steps will help you arrive safely at your destination.
5. Plan stops to keep yourself fresh during long trips: When taking a road trip that is longer than an hour or two, you should plan to make stops along the way. When you get out of your automobile to take a rest stop, you help keep yourself alert by getting your blood pumping. If you’re feeling tired, you can also help wake yourself up by stopping and grabbing some food or a cup of coffee. If possible, switch drivers at each stop in order to keep drivers fresh at the wheel and avoid an auto accident.
6. Avoid distractions: Distractions while driving have become a major cause of auto accidents in the United States. Distractions include texting, talking on your cell phone, adjusting your GPS or iPod, and anything else that takes your eyes or mind off the road. Many states have actually passed laws punishing certain kinds of distractions while driving. Even if you’re driving in an area where this behavior is legal, you should still always avoid any distractions while driving. Just take a few minutes to stop on the side of the road to take care of any of these activities and you will greatly reduce the chances of having an auto accident.
7. Bring a safety kit: Your safe road trip kit should include essential items such as a cell phone, a flashlight, extra batteries, ice scraper (if needed), warm blankets, jumper cables and a first aid kit. Many people will also include drinking water and snacks in their automobile safety kit.
8. Always have a designated driver: Many people will be exposed to alcohol and drinking during the holidays. You can easily avoid getting into an alcohol-related auto accident by designating someone as a sober driver before anyone starts drinking.
9. Wear your seatbelt: You want to avoid an auto accident, but you also need to be prepared for the worst. Therefore you should always ensure that infants and small children are safely buckled into a safety seat, and that everyone else in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt at all times during any driving trips. This will greatly protect your family from harm in case there is a collision.

Keep in mind that many drivers on the road are worried, hurried or distracted during the holiday season. Because other drivers may be less careful, you must make sure you stay vigilant to avoid an auto accident in Atlanta. If you follow these holiday driving safety tips, you are one step closer to making sure that you have the best holiday season yet!

Happy Holidays from Senft Chiropractic, your Atlanta Chiropractor!