| Of the millions of people who visit doctors of chiropractic each
year, a large percent do so because of a whiplash injury. Whiplash
injuries occur when a person's spine, usually their neck, was hurt by a
sudden and unexpected jolt or being jerked or thrown in one direction
and then in the opposite direction. The best way to explain this is, the
head is "whipped around" the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common
consequences of auto, bike and amusement ride accidents; it is estimated
that more then 25% of anyone involved in an accident will suffer from
whiplash.
In almost all whiplash injuries the spine is thrown first in one
direction and then pulled in the opposite direction because the muscles
react to the initial injury by pulling and rebounding in the opposite
direction. The rebound can and often does cause the injury to soft
tissues, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
There is more to whiplash than being thrown forward and backward.
Usually the head is turned abruptly to the right and left when an
accident occurs. These motion can complicate the effects of the injury
too.
Whiplash can be mild to severe and can range from rapid healing to
slow healing to long term chronic pain and impairment. Unfortunately,
whiplash sufferers may continue to experience pain and disabilities for
many years after the accident.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms may start as neck soreness, a headache or
stiffness. Along with these symptoms there may be pain, numbness,
tingling, pins and needles feelings between the shoulders, in your arms
or extended to your hands. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms
consult a chiropractor immediately.
Further, some people may experience dizziness, ear ringing, blurred
vision and sensitivity to light and sound. On some occasions there may
be sneezing and a running nose.
Not only whiplash but any kind of accident may cause the vertebral
subluxation complex where the vertebrae are out of proper alignment and
irritating spinal nerves. Painkillers, muscle relaxers, sedatives, or
physical therapy usually don't realign the vertebrae and relieve the
nervous system from pressure. What is needed, is chiropractic care ( a
spinal adjustment) to realign the spine.
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