Whiplash and Chiropractic

Whiplash & Chiropractic

Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person’s neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force.

Whiplash is the term used to describe hyperflexion and hyperextension of the neck or cervical spine.

The number of whiplash injuries has risen sharply due to rear-end motor vehicle collisions and is one of the most common nonfatal car crash injuries.

Whiplash commonly follows a car accident in which the person’s car is hit from behind while it is stationary or slowing down.

The person’s head is first thrown backwards and then when their body stops moving, the head is thrust forward.

This type of injury can strain your neck muscles and cause ligaments in the neck to stretch or tear. In severe cases fractures in the neck will be identified on x-rays or MRI.

The pain from whiplash, which is usually worse with movement, does not always start immediately — it may take several days to come on. Neck pain and stiffness may be accompanied by muscle spasm, dizziness, headaches, nerve pain and shoulder pain.