Whiplash is a common ailment most people will face in their lifetime. It is true that most severe whiplash injuries are caused by automobile accidents, mainly rear-end collisions, but they are also caused by slips/falls, sports injuries and work related injuries. The term whiplash comes from the motion that the head and neck go through due to a sudden jolt or impact causing the head to suddenly go forward or backward.
Symptoms of whiplash vary widely from neck stiffness, neck tightness, muscle spasms, increased pain upon moving your head, decreased range of motion, headaches or pain extending into the upper back and shoulders. The underlying diagnosis of a whiplash can range from a minor sprain/strain of the neck muscles to spinal cord injuries so if you are experiencing any neck pain after an injury it is imperative to get a thorough medical evaluation.
It is also important to note that if you are experiencing nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, memory issues or fatigue in conjunction with any of the above symptoms following an injury you may also have suffered a traumatic head injury and need to seek emergency medical attention.
At Dixie Chiropractic & Rehab we regularly treat whiplash and it has become one of our specialities. If you have auto injury related symptoms or feeling pain in your neck that you think might be whiplash, call us today for a free consult and let us help you get on the road to recovery.