Bottom Line:

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. Usually associated with a car accident, there are many other instances than can cause a very similar jerking of the neck and body. 

Whiplash is the most common injury that happens during an automobile accident and is also one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain. Even if you do not experience pain directly after, long-term effects can be experienced in the future. 

We don’t always think a fender benders a big deal, and aside from getting our car repaired we do not worry about other effects. One’s that may not be as visible as the damage to the car. New research says we SHOULD be worried about possible damage to structures other than our car (our bodies). The research states that even “small” accidents can result in significant injury to the body. 

Why it Matters:

The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Even if the speeds involved are relatively low. When you have something with so much mass (car) it doesn’t take much speed (mph) to generate high levels of force.  

Most of these injuries happen because your head is whipped backward and forward very quickly. This rapid motion often results in torn ligaments and/or injured discs. 

Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression may indicate that you've suffered a whiplash injury. 

You may not immediately notice any immediate pain because of an adrenaline spike at the time of the accident. For many people, these symptoms develop over hours or even a few days and go unnoticed until the initial shock of the car accident has worn off. Often times not until waking up the following day and realize every movement causes pain. 

 

To recap…

·       Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and joints. 

·       Symptoms of whiplash may include neck or back pain, headaches, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping.

·       There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms of whiplash injuries worsen. 

 

 

Next Steps: 

It's smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain. 

 

Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly.

 

Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you've been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the road to relief!

 

Science Source(s): 

 

Biomechanics of Whiplash Injury.Chinese Journal of Traumatology. 2009

Dalton Sealey DC, CSCS

ProMove Chiropractic & Performance

(402)915-4901

drsealey@promovechiropractic.com