What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from auto accidents. This happens when impact, either from a front or rear-end collision, throws the head violently in one direction beyond it's normal limits. When this happens, muscles react to "whip" it back in the opposite direction. Muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting the spine can be overstretched or torn. The spinal cord and delicate nerve endings in the neck can be stretched, pinched and irritated. The soft, cartilage-like discs occupying the spaces between spinal bones can tear, bulge, herniate or even rupture.

The initial symptoms of whiplash may be a sore or stiff neck, perhaps along with a headache within a few hours of the accident. Pain or numbness, or a pins-and-needles tingling in the back, arms, shoulders and hands may occur. A reduced ability to turn and bend freely is common. Ringing in the ears, dizziness, hearing loss, or blurred vision have also been reported. Some symptoms may not appear until days or even weeks after the accident. In severe whiplash, a concussion may also occur when the brain is violently slammed against the inside of the skull. Concussion symptoms include headache, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, depression and mood-swings that may last for hours or even days after the accident.

What Chiropractic can do
A chiropractic checkup can tell you the extent of the spinal injury and provide care to realign the spinal column.