What comes to mind when you hear the term "whiplash"? Do you believe the injury is caused by a seat belt or a car accident? Or do you merely think of whiplash as a common side effect of car accidents? If you're still not convinced, whiplash is a serious injury that, if left untreated, can result in major damage and harm.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury produced by a quick, powerful motion of the neck back and forth. Whiplash causes injury to your bones, discs, soft tissues, and nerves by throwing your musculoskeletal system out of alignment. Whiplash is most typically caused by rear-end crashes, in which one vehicle collides with the back of another. Any mishap involving any form of impact, on the other hand, might be harmful and result in bodily injury.
Even though wearing a seat belt can save lives in many incidents, it is also one of the leading causes of whiplash injuries. A seat belt's goal, as you may know, is to keep you safe in the event of a sudden movement in the car, such as a collision. Even though you are not flung from the car, you are thrown violently against the seat belt. The seat belt also leaves your head and neck unprotected because it only passes over your chest and abdomen. Because the lower half of your body is strapped to the seat, when another automobile slams into yours, your head and neck can snap forward and backward more abruptly, potentially causing misalignment to your spine.
Of course, we are not advising you not to buckle up. They are life-saving mechanisms that prevent you from being flung out of your seat or even out of the vehicle. What we're getting at is that, while seat belts can save your life, they can also cause whiplash, misalignment, and tissue damage, all of which can lead to serious harm. Regardless of how little or terrible you believe your accident was, you should see a chiropractor right once for an evaluation.
Symptoms of whiplash:
Whiplash or misalignment from a vehicle accident can cause a variety of symptoms,
including but not limited to:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Worsening of pain with neck movement
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back, or arms
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Memory problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Depression
How do seat belt injuries affect the body?
Seat belt injuries can cause injury to the areas they cover in addition to whiplash and misalignment. Additional seat belt problems include rib, shoulder, spine, and abdomen pressure injuries. The restraining power of the seat belt, along with the friction of abrupt movement, can result in rib and abdomen fractures, as well as cuts and bruises to the upper body. Soft tissue, ligaments, or tendons in the shoulder or abdomen can also be ripped, resulting in pain that should be treated by a chiropractor right once.
Seeking the care of a chiropractor:
If you think you've been injured by a seat belt or are experiencing any of these symptoms, you might be wondering why you should go to a chiropractor first. In the field of musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries, chiropractors are the industry leaders. They understand how to realign your body in the most secure manner imaginable. It's also important to make sure your body is in alignment so that all of your systems work properly. They are also trained to recognize the most common injuries caused by car accidents and know how to treat them in the most up-to-date and effective way possible. A chiropractor will be able to perform a thorough examination and may even detect issues that you are unaware of. This can help you save time, money, and discomfort. You don't have to suffer from your vehicle accident injuries any longer. These injuries are treatable and must be addressed! One of the most essential reasons to consult a chiropractor for whiplash or seat belt-related issues is that they will treat you without using any medications. Our doctors and staff at Sheets Chiropractors will create a comprehensive and tailored plan of hands-on treatment and rehabilitation activities to help you heal your injuries safely and holistically. Allowing someone to write you a prescription to mask the symptoms of something that can and should be addressed organically is not a good idea. The goal of our doctors is to always get to the root of the problem. Our combination chiropractic and rehabilitative exercise method are more efficient and effective than either strategy alone.
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