“Whiplash” sounds dramatic, and yes,it can be. While its name might conjure images of high-speed car chases or action movies, many people experience whiplash every day due to lesser incidents like car fender-benders. So what exactly is whiplash, and why does it happen?
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head similar to cracking of a whip, hence its name. Medical professionals consider it a soft tissue injury affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck area. Though most commonly associated with car accidents, whiplash may also occur during sports, falls, or any incident involving sudden impact.
Symptoms That Might Have You Saying, “What a Pain in the Neck”
In case you were involved in an accident recently and think something might be wrong with your neck, here are some telltale symptoms to look for:
- Neck pain and stiffness (like you have just fallen asleep on an uncomfortable pillow)
- Pain that radiates to your shoulders, arms, or upper back
- May include headaches originating at the base of the skull
- Dizziness or blurred vision
- Limited range of motion in your neck
- Fatigue or even irritability (as though pain wasn’t enough)
You should remember that symptoms of whiplash don’t always present themselves right away and may take hours or even days before they become evident.
Causes of Whiplash: Not Just Car Accidents
Car accidents often take the rap as causes of whiplash injuries, but they’re not the sole source. Any situation causing rapid, jerky movements to the head could potentially cause whiplash. Such situations include sports accidents (think football tackle or high-impact falls), physical assaults (if someone hits your head hard enough), theme park rides that produce sudden motion or any situation requiring rapid jerking movement to the neck area and more.
Treatment Options, Or, “How Do I Feel Like Myself Again?”
It is very good news that most cases of whiplash can be treated successfully and many people recover within weeks with the appropriate approach. Treatment plans typically consist of various options including the following:
- Rest and Ice: Treat your neck like the noble creature it is by resting it and using ice to reduce inflammation.
- Pain Relief Medications: Over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers may help alleviate both inflammation and pain.
- Auto Injury Chiropractor: If your whiplash was caused by a car accident, get advice and expert treatment of an auto injury chiropractor. They could help realign your spine and alleviate any pain or discomfort you’re feeling. They will help realign any nerve pathways to reduce any pressure points in the spine that might be contributing to symptoms like whiplash.
- Heat Therapy: Once swelling has gone down, applying heat can ease stiffness and muscle tension.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: If you spend long hours using phones or laptops, ergonomic setups may help alleviate further strain on your neck.
Avoid following outdated recommendations about wearing a cervical collar long-term. That approach, like the flip phone, has become obsolete. While it’s effective at first, long-term wear may no longer be a good idea.
Conclusion
Whiplash may not seem like the most exciting injury, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. Whether your neck is injured during a car accident, on the football field, or while living your best (if sometimes uncoordinated) life, understanding what’s happening and getting the appropriate treatments quickly can make all the difference between feeling stiff in the morning or not at all. The sooner you address it the sooner your life can return to normal without suffering the effects.
