Common Whiplash Questions
- How much do you really know about whiplash?
- What are the causes?
- What are the symptoms?
- How should whiplash be treated?
For more information and more commonly asked questions about whiplash, be sure to visit our Whiplash FAQ page.
At Total Chiropractic Care, it’s our job to treat whiplash injuries and that means giving our patients as much information as possible. So we want to tell you what you should know about whiplash.
Total Chiropractic Will Help You Manage Whiplash Injuries
Whether it’s whiplash from an accident, chronic back pain, or pain from other types of injuries. Total Chiropractic can help. We believe in treatment that will help you avoid tricky surgery or potentially dangerous medications. Our doctor, Dr. Todd Goldman will meet with each of our patients individually and we’ll map out a treatment plan that’s right for you. For many patients, we’ll recommend chiropractic manipulation and other techniques such as trigger point therapy. Sometimes we’ll recommend spinal decompression.
We’re also committed to helping our patients achieve optimum health, so we will incorporate diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. Feel free to take a look at all the chiropractic services we offer here. We’re experts at treating whiplash injuries and want to educate you about this condition.
The Causes of Whiplash
According to the Mayo Clinic, Whiplash is a neck injury that’s caused by rapid back and forth movement of the neck. It gets its name from the action a cracked whip makes. According to Dr. Goldman’s book, “Taking Control”, here is a list of the possible injuries you can get from experiencing whiplash.
Whiplash Can Cause Injuries To Your:
- Vertebrae
- Discs
- Nerves
- Muscles
- Tendons
- And Ligaments
Whiplash is often caused by rear-end car crashes and some other car accidents. but that isn’t the only cause. Assault or physical abuse can be a cause when the victim is punched or shaken. Violent collisions in contact sports can also create whiplash conditions.
The Four Phases of Whiplash
There are four phases of whiplash which all take place in less than a second.
- Phase One
During phase one, as your car is pushed out from under you, your back flattens against the seat compressing discs and joints.
- Phase Two
During phase two, your torso will accelerate faster than the vehicle while your head continues backward creating an “S” curve in your spine.
- Phase Three
Phase three occurs when your torso comes to rest but your head and neck move forward, reversing the “S” curve.
- Fourth Phase
In the fourth phase, your body is stopped by your seatbelt, while your head continues to move forward, unable to stop. This results in a violent forward-bending motion which can tear muscles and pull vertebrae out of position.
The Most Common Whiplash Symptoms
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Worsening of pain when you move your neck
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- And Dizziness
Whiplash Treatment at Total Chiropractic Care & Wellness
If you think you have whiplash, Total Chiropractic will give you a thorough physical exam and will design a treatment plan once we understand the extent of your injuries. We’ll likely use chiropractic techniques to help you regain your motion and when you’ve healed enough, begin to realign your spine. For whatever back and neck pain you have, Total Chiropractic will help in a non-invasive way. Contact us today.