Though many people have heard the term "whiplash", most fail to realize the harmful effect it can have on a person's health.
The term whiplash is most commonly used regarding an injury to the neck after a car accident. It occurs most commonly when a person in a vehicle is struck by another vehicle. The belt stops the forward movement of the body but the head snaps forward and backward causing tremendous damage to the neck.
Soft tissue structures in the neck such as the ligaments and muscles can tear or go into spasm. Other structures in the spine such as the intervertebral disc, the "cushion" between two bones, may also tear. This may irritate the nerves of the neck causing headaches and pain/numbness into the arms.
The "whipping" motion of the neck may cause the person to lose the normal curve of the neck. This loss of curvature is the precursor to arthritis in the neck.
By taking care of these injuries as soon as possible, many problems can be avoided. With correct chiropractic care, the muscle spasm can be reduced and the spinal vertebrae can be put into their proper alignment. The use of medication may mask the pain, but it will not correct the soft tissue damage caused by an accident.
Only someone who specializes in spinal rehabilitation can help restore the body to pre-accident condition. If you've been in an accident, Dr. Betzina offers complimentary consultations to see if chiropractic care and/or acupuncture can help you.
Most whiplash symptoms develop within 24 hours of the injury and may include:
- neck pain and stiffness
- headache- most commonly at the base of the skull
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- fatigue
- Some people also experience:
- difficulty concentrating
- memory problems
- ringing in the ears
- sleep disturbances
- irritability
Q: “I’ve just been in a car accident. What are the symptoms of whiplash?” Have you been involved in any kind of auto accident in the last 5 years? Did you know that even low speed collisions can cause LONG TERM whiplash?
Research has proven that even low speed collisions of 5 miles per hour, can cause whiplash. The average head weighs about 8 pounds. The head is connected to the neck which has seven small bones and over 30 joints. When that car hits you from behind, your neck is pushed in the direction of the force that hits your car.
What can you do if you experience the symptoms of whiplash?
In recent times, chiropractic has become the best source for getting relief from these symptoms. What might shock you is that 8 of 10 people who see chiropractors complaining of headaches or nervousness, have been in auto accidents. Chiropractor's are typically the first physician involved in whiplash pain.
How does someone get whiplash?
Try something with me. Tip your head as far back as it will go. Now in your imagination, add another three inches. Ouch! This is what happens when neck injury occurs from an auto accident.
The definition of whiplash is: "An involuntary thrust of the head in any direction, during which the head goes in one direction and the neck in the other.”
As you can see, when this happens there's going to be some damage. The thing to remember is that ONCE YOUR SPINE HAS BEEN SET IN MOTION, IT WILL GET WORSE UNLESS IT IS TREATED AND RESTORED BACK TO ITS PROPER AND ORIGINAL POSITION. What began as a stiff neck and some headaches after an accident... turns into severe loss of mobility of the neck, severe headaches and severe nervousness after a couple years.
Chiropractic is proven effective treating whiplash: If you think your headaches, stiffness, or pain could be the result of whiplash, run (don’t walk) to your chiropractor.
