Whiplash: How It Can Sneak Up on You
By Sara Butler
Whiplash isn't something that just happens when you're in a car accident, even though that's what most people think. Whiplash injuries can occur in a variety of ways -- and with outdoor activities on the horizon this summer, whiplash should be at the forefront of your mind. Here's what the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic want you to know to stay safe and healthy.
What Can Cause Whiplash?
There are many ways you can sustain a whiplash injury that have nothing to do with an automobile. The other ways whiplash can happen include:
- Sports, such as boxing or football
- Assault, such as being punched or shaken
- Falls
- Roller coasters
Yes, that last one probably threw you for a loop! Roller coasters, especially those with sudden turns and stops, can cause whiplash.
What is Whiplash?
You can sustain a whiplash injury when your neck, also known as your cervical spine, is stretched beyond the normal range of motion. This can be a movement that moves it forward, sideways, and backward.
When this occurs, the disc between the bones in your spine as well as any tendons, ligaments, and muscles that support them, can be torn or stretched. That's what causes symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Neck pain, tenderness, or stiffness
- Memory loss
- Irritability
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurred vision
- Muscle spasms
- Tingling
- Numbness
How the Chiropractor Can Help
If you find yourself in the position of dealing with a whiplash injury after a fun day at the amusement park (or some other reason), then you need to talk to a chiropractor at The Joint. It's very important to seek treatment within 72 hours after the injury. If you don't, then discomfort, pain, and other symptoms can linger for months and in some patients, even years.
After an incident or accident, don't play down your symptoms. Take stock of how your feel. If you think there's any possibility that you have whiplash, even a minor case, you need to see the chiropractor, who will perform an assessment of your joints. This way they can tell if any of the joints in your neck have been impacted. If so, hands-on chiropractic adjustments can help to eliminate any joint restrictions or dysfunctions and normal range of motion and function can be restored.
If you need help with whiplash, then talk to the chiropractors at The Joint. They can help you understand how to evaluate your injuries and ensure that any neck injuries you have don't have an impact on your life for long.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.
