What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked back and forth. It may result from forward, backward, or side-to-side movements, commonly seen in motor vehicle collisions. This type of trauma can damage the muscles, ligaments, nerves, and connective tissues of the neck and upper back. It may also affect the cervical vertebrae and the intervertebral discs that cushion the spinal column.
See our blog for useful whiplash information.
What Causes Whiplash?
Rear-end motor vehicle collisions are the most common cause of whiplash. However, the condition can also result from contact sports, falls, or any trauma that forcefully jars the head and neck.
Whiplash symptoms are not always immediate. In many cases, they may take days or even weeks to appear. Because symptoms can go undetected for some time, individuals often delay seeking treatment. For this reason, it is important not to assume you are uninjured following an accident or trauma involving sudden neck movement.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries usually include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that increases with movement
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Decreased range of motion in the neck
- Fatigue
- Tingling in arms
- Tenderness in the upper back and shoulders
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Blurry vision
- Insomnia
- Ringing in the ears
Symptoms vary from person to person. If whiplash was caused by a traffic accident, the direction of impact, speed of the vehicles, as well as your age, gender, and physical condition will play a role in determining your symptoms.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash
Whiplash injuries usually result in damage to your ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nervous system. It can also cause cervical spinal misalignments including dislocated vertebrae and herniated discs. These problems put pressure on the nerves that branch off from your spinal column, causing even more pain and discomfort.
Our team at Northwest Reno Chiropractic work to restore your joint movement and correct the position of your vertebrae that was disrupted in the accident. By restoring vertebrae and discs to the correct positions, trapped nerve roots are released, resulting in pain-free function. Our office uses manual manipulation, trigger point therapy, soft tissue rehab, and spinal traction to address your whiplash injury.
More Information about Whiplash
Check out my Blog for valuable information about whiplash injuries, associated symptoms, recovery timelines, and evidence-based care.
Whiplash and Your Quality of Life
Some people recover from whiplash without medical intervention. Studies show that those involved in a motor vehicle accident are six times more likely to develop cervical spine arthritis than those who have never had a whiplash accident. Therefore, for many, whiplash significantly impacts their quality of life now and in the future. Treatment sooner is better than later. If you've been involved in an accident, contact us at (775) 324-3700 for an assessment.