Whiplash

 

 

If you’ve ever been in a vehicle accident or talked to people who have, you may have heard the term whiplash. This is a common injury in car accidents, but there can be some misconceptions surrounding it. Nevertheless, if you have been in an accident it’s important to visit a chiropractor as whiplash symptoms tend surface hours and days after the initial trauma.

 

At West Texas Neck and Back, we have the tools and technology to assess your condition and alleviate your pain. We have solutions that can help you get back on your feet following an accident. Our chiropractors specialize in dealing with different types of personal injury, including whiplash. If you have been in an accident, our personal injury experts are here to support you with all of your chiropractic needs. 

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is commonly found in vehicle accidents because it is defined as a neck injury that comes from a sudden movement forwards and backward in the head and neck. Since car accidents tend to be cases in which a vehicle is traveling at speed and suddenly decelerating or stopping, this can cause a shock to your head and heck, which is unrestrained unlike the rest of your torso, which is kept secure by your seat belt.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash can be difficult to identify early on. Typically, its symptoms can be delayed for 24 hours or even longer after the initial trauma. Even if you aren’t immediately feeling the effects, your neck and head are experiencing damage. This can get worse if left unexamined. It can be tempting to think you don’t need a doctor after an accident if you don’t feel anything, but sometimes the worst is yet to come. Symptoms of whiplash can include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Shoulder pain
  • Arm weakness and pain
  • Back pain

Whiplash is best treated as early as possible even if you may not be feeling any effects at all. Symptoms can progress into a loss of range of motion, lasting pain, and a decline in one’s posture. However, early treatment can prevent the worst from happening.

Spinal Decompression: A Non-Invasive Solution For Pain

During a motor vehicle accident, your head may be thrust forcefully forward or backward which can cause spinal disc derangement. This can result in reduced mobility of the neck and pain that can make it difficult to go about your day-to-day. Spinal decompression works to gently pull the spine and alleviate pressure and stress on your spinal discs caused by the trauma of whiplash. Spinal decompression is non-surgical and non-medicinal and requires no downtime. If you are suffering from the painful effects of whiplash, spinal decompression may be what you need. 

To learn more about non-surgical spinal decompression and how it can help whiplash, contact our professionals today.