The term ‘whiplash’ means an injury which is caused by any intense impact or blow that causes your head to jerk forward, backward, and sidewards, resulting to neck strain. Thus, it is sometimes called neck strain or neck sprain.
It is commonly associated with rear-end car accidents, however, it can also be caused by other things such as:
- Falls from stairs or ladders
- Sports injuries from football or boxing
- Physical assault, when you are violently punched or shaken
- Amusement park rides, such as roller coasters
- Anything that jerks your head suddenly, can be a child tugging your arm or pulling your hair
The stronger the impact, the more the neck stretches beyond its normal range of motion. The connected spinal discs, along with their associated muscles, tendons and ligaments can be stretched or torn, and can feel incredibly sore and tender afterwards.
Now, one may feel the signs and symptoms of whiplash immediately after the injury or up to a few weeks after the impact that caused the whiplash injury. Common signs include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headache and dizziness
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle spasms
- Restriction in movement
- Irritability and anxiety
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory Loss
If not given proper care, these symptoms can evolve into long-term issues. That’s why it’s important to see a specialist as soon as you can after the accident.
How Chiropractic Can Help
The goal of chiropractic care is to return the spinal joints affected by whiplash to their ideal position through spinal manipulation. This will help encourage healing— relieving stress on affected nerves and reducing strain on the neck and affected muscles. As each whiplash case is different, we will evaluate the patient and determine the appropriate care fit for their needs.
Know someone who might benefit from our care? Contact us today.