Of the millions of people who visit doctors of chiropractic each year, a large number have had whiplash injuries.  Whiplash injuries occur when a person’s spine, usually their neck, was hurt by being unexpectedly or suddenly thrown very quickly in one direction and then in the opposite direction.  You might say the head is “whipped around” on the neck.

Whiplash is one of the most common consequences of auto accidents; it is estimated that 15% - 30% of car occupants will suffer neck pain.

In almost all whiplash-type injuries the spine is thrown first in one direction and then is pulled in the opposite direction because the muscles react to the initial injury by pulling or rebounding in the opposite direction.  The rebound can and often does cause injury to your soft tissues – muscles, ligaments, tendons and other tissues.  Occasionally a whiplash injury can result from side-to-side motion of the neck, also called left and right lateral hyperflexion. 

There is more to whiplash than being thrown forward and backward.  Usually the head is turned to the right or left a little when an accident occurs and this can complicate the effects of the injury.

Whiplash Damage
Whiplash can be mild to severe and can range from rapid healing to slow healing to long-term chronic pain and impairment.  It can cause serious problems because it can cause long-term damage.  Studies show that a large percentage of whiplash sufferers, from 50% to as much as 88%, may continue to suffer pain and some amount of disability for years after the accident.

Spinal Cord Damage
Depending on the severity of the accident, whiplash damage can range from barely noticeable stiffness to death.  A worst case scenario occurs in a small minority of cases where there is actual bone fracture and spinal cord damage causing paralysis or death.

Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms may start as neck soreness or stiffness, perhaps accompanied by a headache immediately or within a few hours of the accident.  Along with these symptoms there may be pain and/or numbness, tingling or a pins-and needles feeling between the shoulder blades, arm and hand.

Some people may experience ear ringing, dizziness or even hearing loss.  Sometimes the eyes can be affected and there may be pain behind the eyeballs, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or other visual symptoms.  Occasionally, there may be a tearing or running of the nose.

Midwest Chiropractic 3137 Dixie Hwy (Next To Gold’s Gym)     (859) 426-5870 Hours:   Weekdays  2-8 pm  Saturdays  11am – 2pm

Kentucky Chiropractic Dr. John Squicciarini, Chiropractor 4 Hidden Valley Drive Highland Heights, KY 41079 (Behind Hardee’s) (859) 441-8181 Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs 9am – 12pm : 3:15pm – 6:30pm Tues: 3pm - 4:30pm Fri:  3:15 – 4:30pm Saturday By Appointment Email: tothegym@fuse.net