When most people hear the term “whiplash,” they think of a car accident. But surprisingly, whiplash is not just an injury that happens in cars. It can happen when your head and neck are suddenly jerked forward, backward or sideways by the sudden force of an impact. Whiplash can occur in any situation where you experience a sudden jolt to your body – even if you’re walking down stairs! When it comes to treating whiplash, treatment varies depending on how severe it is; some cases may need only over-the-counter pain medication but other cases require more intensive therapy including physical therapy and chiropractic treatments. If left untreated for too long, whiplash also has the potential to become chronic; this is because when you’re in pain, your body will protect itself by standing in a certain position, which over time can lead to muscular weakness and balance issues.
Whiplash is mostly caused by car accidents but can also be caused by any activity where the head suddenly changes direction at a fast velocity – which obviously includes athletic activities like contact sports or motorcycle riding, but it could even be something as simple as slipping on ice!
So if you’re planning to play any sports or participate in activities like surfing, downhill skiing or cycling where your head suddenly jerks forward and backward – make sure you wear the right safety gear.
Whiplash is more likely to occur when you were not braced for an impact (i.e. if another car suddenly slammed into the front of yours), or if your head was turned left or right.
Injuries from whiplash can range from muscle strains and fatigue to a herniated disc which is what’s responsible for the pain you feel when you have whiplash. If the muscles around the spine go out of place, they put pressure on nerves in your neck – leading to an intense, radiating pain.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is the sudden force of an impact that causes your head and neck to move quickly. Whiplash can happen when your head and neck are suddenly jerked forward, backward or sideways by the sudden force of an impact. Assembly workers, police officers, doctors, teachers, athletes and drivers who all do tasks where they may need to move their heads often must be aware of how whiplash can happen. If you are not careful, you could have whiplash too!
Symptoms of Whiplash
Some common symptoms that appear after whiplash include: soreness in shoulder and back muscles, headache, neck pain , stinging sensation in arms, difficulty turning head to the left or right, ringing in ears (tinnitus), dizziness and blurred vision.
Whiplash rarely occurs without other injuries. Whiplash might be the first injury to cause pain, but often there are aches and pains that develop after the initial whiplash symptoms have disappeared. These may include headaches, backaches, muscle spasms, or pain anywhere in your neck or shoulders. You may also feel weak and tired all the time. In some cases, a person doesn’t notice any physical effects immediately following a car crash… But within a few days – maybe even weeks – things start hurting: general fatigue sets in; you don’t feel like doing anything; depression sets in.
As the symptoms of whiplash linger on, you could find yourself avoiding certain activities and behaviors out of fear they will aggravate your condition even more. You may start to lose sleep; insomnia can make it hard for you to think clearly and efficiently and may cause you to feel angry and frustrated. The symptoms of whiplash could also interfere with your work performance: you might miss a few days or weeks due to lack of sleep, pain, or other symptoms that just won’t go away. When this happens, it’s easy to see how much the cumulative effects of Whiplash injuries can affect all aspects of life… even relationships with others close to us.
Treatment of Whiplash
When it comes to treating whiplash, treatment varies depending on how severe it is; some cases may require more intensive therapy including physical therapy and chiropractic treatments. If left untreated for too long, whiplash also has the potential to become chronic; this is because when you’re in pain, your body will protect itself by standing in a certain position, which over time can lead to muscular weakness and balance issues.
The initial medical examination will usually include taking X-rays and other images to rule out other medical conditions. The type of imaging test used depends on many factors, including the results of the history and physical exam, information about the accident, and what other medical problems you may have. While it has been long known that whiplash injuries are common injuries after car accidents, it is only in recent years that scientists recognized that whiplash injury can result in lasting pain. More than half of people who suffer an episode of whiplash do not recover within six months. If you seek medical attention quickly, your doctor may be able to treat whiplash with rest, immobilization of the neck, physical therapy, and medication.
Rest is important when dealing with any type of head and neck injuries because they affect your daily life more than most other injuries. Take it slow in order to minimize your stress levels and prepare yourself for what might be a long road ahead in terms of rehabilitation . Before resuming normal activities, consult with your doctor about which ones can put extra strain on your neck or head area and avoid them during this time period.
Recovery time varies depending on how severe your whiplash injury is. Always remember that even though you may be feeling better physically it’s very important to not go back to your normal routine too soon because it can cause setbacks in your recovery process. If after doing mild exercises you notice that your symptoms are getting worse then consult with your chiropractor about the best possible treatment options that will allow you to recover at a steady pace without exacerbating any existing concerns from your injury.
Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are commonplace in the world of car accidents. Many people don’t even stop to think about their whiplash injury because they don’t experience any immediate discomfort following the accident. The problem is that over time, these whiplash injuries can turn into chronic pain and disability. If you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident, see your doctor right away!
The only way to treat chronic whiplash is with regular chiropractic care. A qualified chiropractor will study your injury to find out how it occurred and what you need to do to bring yourself relief. They’ll be able to work together with other professionals like your primary physician or therapist in order to get you back on your feet again!
The four types of treatment techniques that chiropractic care offer for this type of injury include:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Make sure that the affected joint (or joints), such as the neck, moves smoothly and does not have any tightness or soreness.
Recognition of Posture Malfunction
Helps fix postures that are causing the injury. This is extremely important for people who do a lot of work on the computer or at their desk.
Awareness Of Muscles And Stretches To Do For Safety
Provides information to help you prevent further damage to your muscles and tendons so they don’t become weak or too stiff which can lead to more injuries later down the line.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Protocols Using Exercises To Restore Mobility, Strength, Power And Endurance Which Can Include Physical Therapy Modalities
Uses many different techniques and exercises so that you can get back to having a healthier and stronger body.
Whiplash is a common injury, but if you feel pain or discomfort, take it seriously. Ignoring the pain could lead to chronic problems that are difficult to treat. If left untreated for too long, whiplash can become chronic and have an effect on your life as well as those closest to you. So take care of yourself and fight through any pain – just remember that time heals all wounds! It’s also incredibly important that if you have any questions about whiplash or how chiropractic care may help you recover from one, go speak with us!