Whiplash:  Injury to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head, backward, forward or sideways.

Whiplash most commonly occurs when the automobile is struck from behind, or else the car comes to a sudden stop.  This causes the head to snap back and the forth, and this in turn cause the spine to travel beyond its normal limits.

The muscles and ligaments supporting the spine and may then become torn, and the spinal discs may bulge, tear, or rupture.  The nerve roots in the neck can get stretched and irritated. There may have been left on the car only slight damage, but the occupant may nevertheless have suffered extensive damage.  Left untreated, the formation of scar tissue can leave the victim with impaired bodily function for life.

The consequence of this damage, besides the pain, are:  low back pain, dizziness, blurred vision, shoulder, arm, and hands pain, as well as headaches.  The victim will have reduced ability to turn and bend.

The chiropractic approach is to use specific chiropractic adjustments to help return spinal function. After a thorough case history and examination, the doctor will recommend a series of visits to help restore proper motion and position of spinal bones. If caught early enough, inflammation can be reduced and scar tissue can often be minimized.

If you think you may have suffered whiplash, call our office to make an appointment for a free examination, or click here.

ja 2005