Our necks are arguably one of the most important parts of our body. Necks support out ten or so pound head and house the nerves and arteries that connect our brains to our bodies. Without a neck, we wouldn’t be able to look around at our surroundings and enjoy them or spot potential dangers. While the neck is such an important part of our body it is surprisingly fragile and prone to injury. One of the most common neck injury complaints is Whiplash.
We see Whiplash represented in plenty of movies, TV shows and books (usually in the form of someone holding their neck, or worse, in a foam neck brace), but what is Whiplash?
Whiplash is defined as a neck strain or injury caused by and unexpected impact or blow that forces the head to jerk either forwards or backwards. This sudden jolt can tear or stretch the muscles and ligaments in your neck past their typical range of motion, disrupt discs, and cause injury.
Typically, people will complain of Whiplash after a car accident, but it can also occur from playing intense contact sports, physical abuse, falls and other trauma.
The symptoms of Whiplash may be immediately apparent but can sometimes take several hours or days to show up, and can last for weeks, months or even years. Because we have sustained an injury the muscles in our necks stiffen up to prevent further injury from happening which can unfortunately cause even more discomfort. Depending on the intensity of the impact Whiplash may even be accompanied by a concussion.
Common symptoms of Whiplash include:
- Neck Pain and Stiffness
- Decreased Range of Motion when looking up, down, and side to side
- Shoulder Pain
- Radiating Headaches
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Ringing Ears
- Abnormal Sensations such as tingling, numbness, burning or prickling
- Memory Loss
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Nervousness/Irritability
- Fatigue
- Difficulty Sleeping
While most people suffering from Whiplash recover within 3 months of the accident (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2019), if it is not treated quickly Whiplash can cause chronic neck and pain problems.
A Chiropractor can help with managing symptoms of Whiplash and prevent further injury. In a retrospective study done in 1996 it was found that 26 out of 28 patients suffering from Whiplash saw improvement in their symptoms following Chiropractic treatment (Woodward, 1996).
Dr. Klassen, a chiropractor in Winnipeg; has been helping people suffering from Whiplash pain for a total of 8 years of Chiropractic Service, with 4 years spent here in the St. James area. He uses the Blair Upper Cervical Technique which focuses on the top vertebrae in your neck, which is where Whiplash problems commonly occur. His goals for treatment are:
- Controlling pain and symptoms
- Restoring Range of Motion
- Helping with prevention of further injury
- Getting you back to your normal self.
Dr. Klassen will take a detailed history from you and discuss your concerns. He will perform an exam and if necessary, take X-rays to determine the root cause of your pain. Because no two injuries are alike, even with Whiplash, he will create a detailed plan that is tailored to your specific needs. This plan will include spinal adjustments as well as exercises and stretches to keep your neck strong and limber.
Whiplash can be extremely painful and stop you from living your best life. If you think you’re suffering from Whiplash, don’t hesitate to call and book a consultation appointment with us TODAY!
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ›
Works Cited
Woodward MN, Cook JCH, Gargan MF, Bannister GC. Chiropractic treatment of chronic whiplash injuries, Injury 1996;27:643-645.
“Whiplash Information Page.” National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, U.S Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Whiplash-Information-Page.