Know the Symptoms of Whiplash

car-85320_640Do you know what the symptoms of whiplash are? It is estimated that over three million people suffer whiplash each year in the US, and many of those people never seek treatment! Sadly, not seeking care for this injury can cause long-term damage!

Today we want to discuss the symptoms of whiplash, and how a chiropractor in Vancouver WA can help!

So what is whiplash?

For those who do not know, whiplash is damage done to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs, nerves and vertebrae of the neck as the result of sudden hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck, typically experienced as a result of a car accident.

If you are in an accident and experience a sudden force that moves the neck forcefully backward then forward, the ligaments and tendons that hold the vertebrae in correct alignment can become damaged, leading to the vertebrae changing their position and irritating the adjacent nerve roots. This in turn can cause impairment of the function of the body parts that are controlled by these nerves.

So what are the symptoms of whiplash?

If you have been in an accident, be aware of these symptoms:

  • A loss or reduction in ability to move the neck
  • Neck stiffness and pain
  • Pain in arms and hands
  • Muscle spasm
  • Dizziness and/or vertigo
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred or altered vision
  • Ringing in ears
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Numbness/pins and needles in arms and hands

It is important to remember that your symptoms may appear immediately after the injury or may be delayed. This might prevent you from associating the symptoms with an injury and can even postpone you from receiving timely treatment!

It’s better to be safe than sorry! If you have been in a car accident, contact a chiropractor in Vancouver WA who can help you make sure your whiplash injury doesn’t turn into a much bigger problem!