Whiplash

Whiplash is a form of neck sprain or strain caused by your head being suddenly thrown violently forward and backward.

It is a common condition occurring from a road accident, or even as a result of contact sports, horseback riding, cycling, a fall, a blow to the head or physical abuse. As a result of such force, there’s a chance you could suffer damage to your intervertebral joints (spinal joints), cervical (neck) muscles, discs, nerve roots, and ligaments. Studies have shown that whiplash trauma might also disturb the integrated jaw-neck sensory-motor function which could affect your ability to chew.

Being in an accident doesn’t just affect you in the short term, although that damage can be substantial, it can also affect your body in the long term. In fact, even if you don’t feel any pain at the time of the accident or immediately after, it’s a good idea to see an appropriate health professional, such as your chiropractor, to rule out any damage that could become a problem at a later date and cause significant pain, affecting your life.

Initially, whiplash might not hurt at all, but within a few days, you may begin to experience some of the following symptoms. Some symptoms of both whiplash and chronic whiplash can occur within 24 hours, while others could take up to three days or longer (even years) to present themselves.

• Stiffness and pain in your neck
• Headaches
• Lower back pain
• Weariness
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in your ears
• Shoulder or shoulder blade pain
• Numbness or pain: in your hands or arms
• Concentration difficulties
• Dizziness
• Sleeping difficulties
• Fatigue
• Irritability

If you suffer from any of these symptoms following a road accident and you decide to see your chiropractor, a series of checks will be completed to assist with your diagnosis. Your chiropractor will examine your entire spine, checking for disc or ligament issues, muscle spasms, as well as your range of motion. Then they may check for tightness and pain, as well as taking note of how you walk, your posture, and your overall spinal alignment. Your initial check-up can sometimes be followed by a CT scan, MRI scan or x-ray. This procedure not only helps your chiropractor better understand your spinal structure, but it can also help to diagnose whiplash, so a treatment plan can be formed.