Auto Accidents Part 1: Effects of Whiplash

Whiplash Injuries

There are many very interesting points regarding whiplash injuries which I’ll be sharing with you over a series of newsletters. Did you know the weight of the average skull can range from 10 to 12 lbs? That’s the weight of a bowling ball sitting on top of a stick. What are the effects of the head whipping back and forth out of control? The science and medical communities have become aware of the dynamics involved in football collisions. Recent research has demonstrated that concussions frequently occur from low impact auto accidents. These points and others will be discussed in our series on auto accidents at low and high speeds.

Indicators of Whiplash

Some individuals experience indicators of whiplash injuries right away, such as blurred vision, headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, reduced range-of-motion and arm pain. Whiplash can also result in minor back injuries, muscle injuries, ligament problems and disc damage. Other individuals may not experience any serious injuries right away and may think they are just “stiff” or “sore” after the accident when serious injuries could be forming.

Any body part that is jarred or thrown forward unexpectedly and beyond normal limits can sustain stretched ligaments and even tears. Those supporting the head and neck are especially vulnerable to this kind of tearing during a collision. Since chiropractors specialize in the care of bones, muscles, nerves and connective tissue, they are crucial to visit after an accident. All those major parts of the body are important to keep in optimal health and correct alignment so they can function properly and all body systems can operate seamlessly.

Treatment

Early care and treatment mean full healing and recovery is quickly realized. Even a car crash that is seemingly minor with limited damage to the car itself can cause serious injury to the driver and passengers.