Causes, Symptoms, and Side Effects of Whiplash

by | Jun 22, 2022 | Uncategorized

Whiplash is caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. With more than two million Americans experiencing whiplash every year, knowing the causes, symptoms, treatments, and side effects of this common neck injury could help prevent further damage. 

Some other common terms for whiplash include neck sprain or neck strain. While technically accurate, these terms also apply to other types of neck injuries. Medical definitions, like cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome or chronic whiplash syndrome, are more precise terminology.

 

The Symptoms of Whiplash

There is a long list of different symptoms and complications associated with whiplash, many of which are difficult to blame on a single cause. The conglomerations of these symptoms are referred to as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). Symptoms of WAD may include:

  • Neck pain that ranges from a tingling sensation to excruciating anguish
  • Neck stiffness with a reduced range of motion and neck instability
  • Shoulder pain radiating from the shoulder and down the arm
  • Upper back pain
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Vision problems
  • Emotional changes, like increased irritability, anxiety, or depression
  • Ear ringing (tinnitus)
  • Insomnia
  • Overall lack of energy (fatigue)
  • Problems with memory or concentration
  • Chewing, swallowing, or speaking difficulties

Concurrent injuries that may worsen symptoms include:

  • Stingers
  • Concussions
  • Radiculopathy (a pinched nerve that radiates pain into the arm)
  • Shoulder injuries

 

The Causes of Whiplash

Commonly caused by car accidents, whiplash can also result from several other types of trauma, including sports accidents, physical abuse, amusement park rides, horseback riding, bike accidents, or falls. Athletes in sports like snowboarding, boxing, football, gymnastics, or skiing are especially prone to whiplash.

 

Common Misconceptions About Whiplash Treatment

There are many misunderstandings when it comes to neck and back injuries, but a common misconception of WAD is that it takes a significant degree of force to cause whiplash. This is entirely false. A vehicle going 5-10 mph possesses more than enough force to cause serious symptoms, especially when left untreated.

This leads to the biggest misconception about whiplash: that it isn’t that serious. Delaying the care needed to heal could increase and lengthen, maybe permanently, the symptoms being experienced. Neck pain immediately after a whiplash injury is common but experiencing a later onset of symptoms is, as well. Unfortunately, this tends to reinforce the mindset of shrugging off symptoms. 71% of people were found to still have at least one significant whiplash symptom seven years after the injury, according to a 2005 study. In the same study, it was also found that two years was the average amount of time for patients to fully recover from whiplash-associated disorders.

 

Treatment for Whiplash-Associated Disorders

The first reaction most have when suffering from whiplash is to rest and recover. However, resting for more than a day or two could cause the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and back to become stiff and weak, prolonging painful symptoms. Returning to your average level of activity or even exceeding it once your doctor gives the OK is one of the best ways to ensure whiplash symptoms don’t extend further than necessary.

 

Treating Whiplash with a Chiropractic Adjustment

Chiropractic adjustments are another fantastic way to ease the symptoms of whiplash. Chiropractic doctors use a variety of adjustment styles to fulfill the needs and preferences of each individual patient. They’ll typically start by identifying any restricted joint motion, intervertebral disc injuries, muscle spasms, or ligament injuries. Your chiropractor will also feel for tenderness, tightness, and joint movement while analyzing posture and the spine’s movement in a variety of positions.

Chiropractors look at more than just the impact area of the whiplash; they take the entire person into account when designing their treatment plan. Whiplash frequently affects parts of the spine outside of the painful area. Having such an all-encompassing, holistic approach is vastly superior to letting your injury go untreated.

Have you experienced an accident that led to whiplash-like symptoms? Reach out to Crossroads Chiropractic—we’d be more than happy to create a treatment plan specific to your individual needs. Contact us today!