If you're ever unlucky enough to be injured in a car accident, you may experience a strain on your neck muscles and the surrounding soft tissue. The feeling is called whiplash, and it can limit your neck movement severely.
When a vehicle is hit from the rear (or the side), the force can cause a sharp movement to your head and neck. It's important not to ignore whiplash-type injuries — and to see your chiropractor as soon as possible. Fast and careful treatment is the best defense.
Whiplash symptoms
Symptoms can be felt instantly, or take days or weeks to manifest. They can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of mobility in the neck or shoulders
- Upper back pain
Whiplash is the common term used to describe any neck injury from sudden impact. Your head is thrown to the side or backward violently, and vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments can all be damaged.
The importance of your headrest
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports have seen great improvements in the efficacy of headrests at preventing whiplash-related injuries in a crash. The IIHS also rated nearly half of all headrests as poor on cars made before 2006. To increase your chances of avoiding whiplash, follow these rules:
- Your headrest should reach at least as high as the top of your ears.
- Your headrest should be no more than four inches (10 cm) from the back of your head.
Other causes of whiplash
It's not just car accidents that can cause whiplash. Falling down stairs, being tackled aggressively in football, or being checked hard into the boards in hockey can also leave you with a case. Some comfort can be taken in the fact that most whiplash injuries are not serious and will heal fully with proper care.
A healthy neck is your best defense
Chiropractors are first and foremost primary caregivers who specialize in spinal health. Your neck muscles, tendons, and bones fall under your chiropractor's area of expertise. Trust your chiropractor and talk about your care with them. Many people suffering from whiplash heal quickly and get back to their daily routines in no time. Follow the recommendations, and it's likely you'll come away with a stronger neck and better posture — the kind that helps you withstand injury and bounce back quicker the next time.