Whiplash — it’s an injury we’ve all heard of, and commonly associate with car accidents, but did you know it can happen due to a variety of circumstances? Whiplash can have lasting and serious effects, and it is important for you to understand how it happens. Here’s what you need to know.
What happens when you get whiplash?
Injuries from whiplash are referred to as a hyper-extension injury of the next according to the American Chiropractic Society. Basically, the neck muscles are pushed or pulled beyond their normal range of motion. This typically happens when the body moves one way and the head, well, it doesn’t The head is then snapped forward or backward to keep up. When that stretching movement strains the muscles and ligaments in the neck, it results in stiffness, pain, headaches, and mobility issues.
How can whiplash happen?
As we previously mentioned, whiplash is most commonly associated with car accident injuries. But that’s not the only way it can happen. Here are some strange cases of whiplash we’ve seen:
Dancing - Headbanging might be your favorite thing to do at a concert, but it’s not the best choice for your neck. If you aren’t careful with how you move, whether it’s break dancing or ballroom dancing, you could suffer from whiplash.
Sports - Sports are a close second after car accidents for whiplash injuries, particularly when it comes to contact sports. Whiplash can even occur while doing sports such as skiing, cycling, and diving. Exercise caution when practicing sports to prevent injury so you can continue to perform at your best
Slip and fall accidents - Slip and fall accidents are often more serious than you think and can cause injuries like whiplash. serious consequences, including whiplash. Should you experience a slip and fall, keep us in mind for a followup to ensure you stay in alignment.
Theme park rides - Summer is in full swing, and that means a fun-filled day at the amusement park. As thrilling as rollercoasters are, they also come with some risks. Anything that moves at high speeds and jerks you around can cause whiplash!
What should you do?
Now that you know more about whiplash, you understand that it is important to get it checked out by your chiropractor. The symptoms can be debilitating, from stiffness to pain in the neck, shoulder, jaw, and head. If you are experiencing a whiplash injury and want to see how chiropractic can help, contact us. Our team of professionals will create a custom treatment plan that best suits your needs so we can help you return to feeling great!