Whiplash is a fairly common injury that occurs to a person’s neck after a sudden force that causes rapid forward and backward motion of the head. Whiplash injuries are often mistreated due to lack of understanding of the condition. If you have whiplash or think you may be suffering from a neck injury, it is important to understand the facts before moving forward with treatment. Here are 5 things you should know about whiplash injury:
- Whiplash isn’t just caused by car accidents
Most people experience whiplash when they are in a car accident. However, this type of injury can be caused from many different incidents. You can also get whiplash from a fall, rollercoaster ride, or high impact sport. Whiplash injuries can occur at speeds of just 5 miles per hour, so it’s easier to get whiplash than you may think.
- Elderly people are more at risk
Unfortunately, with aging comes higher risk of whiplash injuries. Those who suffer from neck arthritis and have a fragile spine are more prone to whiplash. This is because the discs and ligaments are already somewhat damaged, so you may be in a more dangerous situation overall.
- Symptoms don’t always show up right away
If you’ve had whiplash before, you probably already know that the pain doesn’t always occur immediately after an accident. It is more likely that pain symptoms will show up about two hours after the initial trauma. Some symptoms of whiplash may not even show up until days later. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or traumatic situation, it is recommended to seek chiropractic care sooner rather than later even if you are not displaying symptoms of whiplash.
- Recovery times will vary
There are different types of whiplash injuries. Type 1 is a mild case, type 2 is a moderate case, and type 3 is a severe case. Everybody responds to injuries differently. Regular aches and pains are the body’s response to stress and trauma, and some of those pains last longer than others. Often times, those suffering from whiplash injuries can return to normal physical activities with very minimal aches and pains. A smaller percentage of people with more severe whiplash injuries sometimes cannot return to work until up to a year later.
- Staying active helps
Contrary to popular belief, staying physically active after whiplash is usually a good thing. Immobilizing your back and neck and going on bed rest after an accident could be damaging to your recovery process. If you have a minor case of whiplash, you should continue to do exercises to improve your posture and reduce the strain on your neck. Chiropractors suggest taking an active approach against whiplash injuries and encourage heat and ice therapy.
If you suffer from symptoms of whiplash from a car accident or from elsewhere, it’s time to learn about how a chiropractor can help you.
Crist Chiropractic & Wellness offers chiropractic care in Cool Springs area of Franklin, TN. Contact us today so we can get you on the right treatment path. You can also schedule an appointment online or give us a call at 615-771-0022.
Dr. Jason Crist founded Crist Chiropractic in Franklin, Tennessee, with a vision to provide health and healing naturally. His personal journey of avoiding surgery ignited his passion for non-invasive care, earning him "Chiropractor of the Year" for his holistic approach.
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