5 Facts About Whiplash That You Should Know


Whiplash is one of the most common injuries a person can suffer from a car crash. This is an injury that you can get when your neck moves backward then forward rapidly which over stretches the joints, muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back.


Since car accidents are very common and may or may not happen to you, here are more facts about it that you should know in order to help your injury get treated.


1.      Symptoms Are Not Always Immediate


Just because you don’t feel pain or anything at all at the neck area right after the accident, doesn’t mean there isn’t any injury at all. Sometimes the symptoms slowly begin to develop over days or weeks. And when they do, it’s not always just pain; symptoms could be headaches, neck swelling, muscle spasms, numbness or tingling, nausea, trouble swallowing, dizziness, and blurred vision.


2.      You Don’t Have To Be In A Car Accident To Get Whiplash


Yes, this injury is often associated with car accidents. However, it can also occur in other form of accidents like a fall, or from high-impact sports, such as snowboarding, skiing, boxing, football or gymnastics.


3.      Fractures Usually Aren’t Seen In An X-Ray


Fracture in the neck area may be a common assumption for those suffering from whiplash. But, actually, it could show a straightening of the cervical curve due to repetitive muscle spasms. This is why you always have to seek medical examination after an accident; otherwise the injury could go on without your realizing it and getting treatment for it.


4.      Resting For Longer Than A Few Days Could Make It Worse


After a whiplash injury, all you’d want is to lie down and rest because you feel like it may get worst if your move around or just because your body won’t feel exactly energetic. But you must not submit to that! Letting a whiplash injury sit there for too long will cause the muscles in your neck, shoulders and back to get stiff and weak. As soon as your doctor gives you the green light to go back to your daily activity, you should follow.


5.      Chiropractic Care Can Help


Chiropractic treatment has been shown to be very effective for spinal injuries. That includes diagnosing and treating many of the injuries that are typically associated with whiplash. Expect your chiropractor to perform a thorough medical history check and physical examination to determine the extent of the injury. He will then use some tools like ultrasound, diathermy, and inferential muscle stimulation and even spinal adjustment as necessary to treat your condition.

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