What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid head movement of the head, such as occurs in some car accidents.

As with any injury of the spine, you should take whiplash very seriously. Your neck serves to provide firm support for your head, and damage to its supporting structures (i.e., your muscles, tendons, and bones) causes pain and discomfort.

What are whiplash symptoms?

As whiplash injuries range from mild to severe, so do the symptoms. They typically emerge within 24 hours of the injury and should always be assessed by a health professional. Symptoms of whiplash may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Worsening pain with neck movement
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Headaches, most often starting at the base of your skull
• Tenderness or pain in your shoulder, upper back, or arms
• Tingling or numbness in your arms
• Fatigue or dizziness

Visit Watson Chiropractic as soon as you experience any symptoms of whiplash to avoid further damage down the road.

What is the treatment for a whiplash injury?

You need to take proper care of a whiplash injury, whether it’s exercising your range of motion or visiting a doctor for corrective procedures. Even if your initial pain feels mild, you should visit Dr. Watson as soon as possible to assess the best treatment method for you and ensure proper healing. Ice your neck and take pain medications as needed in the meantime.

Because whiplash refers to a strain of the muscles and connective tissues, it can easily lead to an imbalance of the spine. Left untreated, this notoriously leads to stiffness and chronic pain.

Drs. Watson can provide the proper services to nurture your injury and correct the source of pain. In many cases, this requires procedures to reduce inflammation to help your soft and connective tissues heal appropriately, ultimately restoring balance to your spine. For best results, visit Watson Chiropractic as soon as possible after your injury.