Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from auto accidents. This happens when the force of an impact whips the head violently in one direction beyond its normal limits, then violently back in the opposite direction.
Muscles, tendons and ligaments that supporting the spine can be overstretched or torn. The spinal cord and delicate nerve endings in the neck can be stretched, pinched and irritated. The soft, cushioning discs occupying the spaces between vertebrae (spinal bones) can herniate (bulge) or even rupture (tear). Symptoms of whiplash may take hours, days or even weeks to appear.
Common symptoms include, sore or stiff neck, headache, pain, numbness, or tingling in the back, arms, shoulders, and hands, reduced ability to move the head and ringing in the ears, dizziness, hearing loss or blurred vision.
Even when the damage to your car is relatively minor, whiplash may have caused spinal damage. All too frequently, lifelong health problems begin as a whiplash injury that was dismissed as minor at the time. Any trauma to your spine can disturb the normal position and motion of the vertebrae, affecting nearby muscles, ligaments and discs. These are what doctors call vertebral subluxations. Because the vertebrae protect the spinal cord, even a small disturbance to the vertebrae can profoundly affect delicate nerve tissue.
A wait and see approach to dealing with spinal injuries, such as whiplash, can be dangerous. Consult your doctor of chiropractic to have a spinal checkup whenever you have suffered a whiplash injury. No matter how minor the accident, spinal damage should be ruled out to protect your long-term health. If you have suffered whiplash, a chiropractic checkup can tell you the extent of your spinal injury and determine what care will help realign your spinal column.
In the beginning, frequent chiropractic visits may be necessary to help relieve your symptoms. It’s not unusual to have some relief immediately after your first adjustment. However, one adjustment can’t cure a severe problem, just as a single pill from a prescription can’t cure an illness. So, be patient. Give your treatment program time to work and yourself time to heal.
Make a commitment to your own recovery by following your doctor’s prescribed treatment program. Most importantly, keep all of your scheduled appointments. Even after your symptoms ease, regular treatment is needed for more complete healing. Discontinuing treatment prematurely only delays and prevents full recovery.
For more information contact Dr. Panoussi at Advanced Healthcare in Stevenson Ranch 661-799-0777 or Palmdale 661-273-1101. You can also visit them online at www.chiro4all.com
