What About Whiplash?

When most people think of whiplash, they associate it with car accidents. While whiplash is a common car accident injury, it can happen to you due to a variety of reasons. Whiplash can be serious and can cause lasting health issues, which is why it’s important for you to understand how it can happen. Here’s what you need to know about whiplash.

What Does Whiplash Happen?

According to the American Chiropractic Society, injuries from whiplash are referred to as hyper-extension injuries of the neck. This means that the neck muscles have been pulled or pushed beyond their normal range of motion.

Whiplash typically happens when the body moves forward and the head doesn’t. It then is snapped forward or back to keep up. When this occurs, that stretching strains the ligaments and muscles in the neck, causing pain, stiffness, mobility issues, and headaches.

How Can I Get Whiplash?

As we mentioned before, car accidents are a common way to suffer from whiplash, but they aren’t the only way. Here are some ways to get whiplash you might not think of:

• Dancing - Do we have any headbangers out there? You might not be able to resist the urge to play the air guitar, but if you rock out too hard, you put yourself at risk for whiplash. From ballroom to breakdancing, if you aren’t careful, whiplash can happen with any form of dancing.
• Sports - This one is probably obvious, especially when it comes to contact sports like football. However issues with whiplash can occur while snowboarding, skiing, cycling, and even diving. Take caution when practicing sports to prevent injuries so you can continue to perform at your best.
• Slipping and fall accidents - Slip and fall accidents can have serious consequences, including whiplash. Think about the last time you slipped and fell — your neck probably felt a little funny afterward. Keep your chiropractor in mind should you experience a slip and fall accident.
• Theme park rides - Summer season is upon us, and that usually means a fun day at the theme park. As great as rollercoasters can be, they also come with some risks. Anything that jerks you around at high speeds can cause whiplash.

What Should You Do?

Whiplash injuries aren’t necessarily the worst thing that can happen to you, but they are usually a bigger deal than people think. The symptoms can be debilitating, from neck stiffness to pain in the head, jaw, shoulder, and neck.

If you believe you are suffering from a whiplash injury, click here to schedule a consultation. Our chiropractic professionals are here to create a unique treatment plan to meet your needs and get you back on track to great health!