Whiplash is a severe injury to the vertebrae, muscles, or
ligaments of the neck caused by a sudden forward and backward
jerking of the head and neck. It is the most common injury
following car accidents,
usually happening in rear-end collisions, and causes long-term
pain and stiffness in the neck. Other possible symptoms of
whiplash include back pain, headache, dizziness, and blurred
vision.
A recent edition of the journal Spine offered an updated
whiplash review from the Canada-based Quebec Task Force, and
proposed regular reviews of known predictive factors. The
review included 13 whiplash studies published since 1995.
The studies revealed the most common predictors associated
with delayed whiplash recovery. Patients with slower recovery
times were most likely to be older and female, and to have
initial head, neck, or other chronic pain.
Doctors of chiropractic have the skills and training to effectively
relieve the pain and other debilitating symptoms of whiplash
by restoring your full range of motion, realigning your spine,
and increasing the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles.
If you experience the symptoms of a whiplash injury in a rear-end
car accident - even at 5 mph - seek treatment immediately,
no matter how minimal the pain. Don’t wait for the symptoms
to go away: By avoiding treatment, you will only prolong your
recovery and lower your quality of life.
Talk to your doctor of chiropractic about whiplash, or visit
https://www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/whiplash.html.
Reference:
Cote P, Cassidy JD, Carroll L, et al. A systematic review
of the prognosis of acute whiplash and a new conceptual framework
to synthesize the literature. Spine 2001:26(19), pp.
e445-e458.
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