Newsletter
Whiplash: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention
Whiplash is a result of a sudden jerk of the head either back and forth or side to side. Injury occurs because the jolt causes the neck to move beyond its normal range. Muscles, ligaments, or tendons can be torn, discs may rupture, bones may fracture, but more commonly a subluxation or spinal misalignment occurs. Causes of whiplash include not only auto accidents, but also bicycle accidents, falls, sports injuries, and possibly occupational injuries. Some common symptoms include:
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Headache
- Shoulder pain
- Low back pain and/or stiffness
- Pain/numbness in the limbs
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
Symptoms may not arise immediately after an injury; they can often appear months or even years later. It is recommended to receive treatment after an accident even if you think that you are probably okay. Commonly a whiplash injury can be treated effectively through Chiropractic care. In fact, 93% of subjects with chronic whiplash pain improved as a result of Chiropractic care. Traditional techniques of treatment including: cervical collars, ultrasound, corticosteroid injections and muscle relaxants often treat the symptoms rather than the injury itself. Chiropractic offers a drug free, effective alternative.
Ways to reduce risk of Whiplash
- Get regular chiropractic check-ups as a preventative measure to keep the neck and spine healthy and strong!
- Position headrest in contact with the back of the head rather than the neck.
- Be aware of your posture – slouching causes your head to be removed from the headrest.
- Keep your seat upright to avoid slouching.
- Make sure shoulder harness and seatbelts are properly positioned.
- Avoid activities that keep your head from facing forward such as, cellular phones, applying make-up, etc.
Helpful Hint
Ice rather than heat:
After any kind of injury, including whiplash, the application of ice can greatly decrease swelling and pain by reducing the amount of
blood to the area. Ice should be applied for 15-20 minutes on, 20-30 minutes off, and then 15-20 minutes on again. Always remember to
wrap ice pack in one layer of toweling to avoid damage to the skin.