There is no mistaking it. Facts are that whiplash affects millions every year. Even the most seemingly lightest impact accidents can produce damaging neck pain injuries that can last for years. The sooner you can spot the signs and symptoms associated with whiplash, the faster you will recover and prevent damage and lifelong chronic neck pain.
Whiplash is most commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, but it can also occur on any sports field, sports court, amusement park ride, with slips and falls, or when children play. Whiplash accounts for the majority of injuries in vehicle wrecks. Approximately 65% of all bodily injury claims for automobile accidents and over 8 billion dollars per year in medical expenses are for whiplash injuries.
Whiplash occurs when there is damage to the neck caused by a sudden change in position. Most commonly, it is when there is a sudden acceleration followed by deceleration. Injury occurs as a result of excessive backwards bending of the neck followed by excessive forward bending in quick succession or “whip” like motion. It can happen so fast (less than half a second) that most people don’t even know it has occurred.
Whiplash can cause damage and inflammation to muscles, ligaments, spinal cord, spinal nerves, spinal discs, and spinal bones of the neck and back. Symptoms can occur immediately or begin several months after injury. Symptoms of whiplash can include any of the following: headaches, migraines, neck stiffness, neck pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, concentration problems, remembering problems, numbness or tingling in the neck, face, shoulders, arms or hands, jaw pain, vision problems, and even back pain.
The pain and injury associated with whiplash can range from a mild annoyance to severe lifelong pain. In either case, it is important to address it as quickly as possible to help prevent long-term effects and chronic scarring in the soft tissue. A Swedish study revealed that females with whiplash injuries are more likely to develop chronic symptoms. Fifty-five percent of females and thirty-eight percent of males go on to develop long-term symptoms.
We cannot always prevent an auto accident, but if your car seat is properly adjusted it can help reduce the damage to you. The head rest is meant to help restrain your head. It is designed to help move a person’s head forward with the body in a rear-end collision versus allowing it to hyperextend backward. If you can minimize the backwards movement of the head, you can reduce the likelihood of whiplash on the neck. Ideally, the head restraints should be positioned at a level even with the top of your head. Additionally, positioning yourself so your head is within close proximity to the head restraint and using your seatbelt will also decrease the risk of injury.
Whiplash injury can occur in collisions at speeds as low as 5 mph. Even when there is no sign of damage to the vehicle there can be injury to the neck. If you’ve been in an accident and have experienced any type of neck or shoulder pain or symptom associated with whiplash, I encourage you to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Time is so important when treating these types of injuries. The longer someone waits to get treatment often results in a longer recovery. Even minor aches and pains can grow with time and turn into long-term symptoms. The quicker treatment begins the faster you can recover from whiplash.
-by Dr. Brandon Crouch
About the Author: Dr. Brandon Crouch is a Chiropractor with Crouch Family Chiropractic. He is an advocate for being proactive when it comes to your health and encourages people to make healthy, informed decisions. For more information or questions you can contact him online at: www.crouchfamilychiro.com or find him on facebook at: www.facebook.com/CrouchFamilyChiropractic.
