Whiplash Injury
If you’ve suffered a whiplash injury, it is important to see a chiropractor or other health care provider who specializes in whiplash treatment as soon as possible. After a whiplash injury, your body starts making scar tissue which acts like glue in your joints and soft tissue. It can also contribute to pain, stiffness and inflammation. And while medication and rest can help, they don't actively treat the underlying injury!
The longer a whiplash injury goes untreated, the greater the risk of complications like headaches and chronic pain. In fact, over 40% of people with chronic neck pain can relate it to a whiplash injury from a car crash. That means their pain has been present for years.
Dr. McGahey has advanced training in evaluation, management, and treatment of whiplash injuries. So you can feel confident in knowing you will be well looked after. But don’t ignore your symptoms. The sooner you start whiplash treatment, the sooner you can start on the road to recovery.
Causes Of Whiplash Injury
Whiplash injury is a common condition that can result when a sudden force causes the neck to 'whip' back and forth. That whipping can cause the neck to move beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in injury. The most common causes of whiplash injury are car accidents, sports injuries, and physical contact. In car crashes, the sudden impact of the collision can cause the head to 'whip' back and forth violently, leading to whiplash injury. Sports injuries such as falls, tackles, and collisions can also cause whiplash injury. Even rollercoasters have been known to cause whiplash.
When looking at cases of whiplash in the US in a typical year, the most common cause is car crash, accounting for about 70% of cases. And while not all car crashes result in whiplash, they are a common cause of this type of injury. It's important for individuals who have been involved in a car crash to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms of whiplash, including neck pain, stiffness, headaches, or changes in thinking or memory. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent the condition from worsening and improve your chances for recovery.
Whiplash Injury Symptoms
Whiplash can cause a range of symptoms, which can vary depending on the severity of your injury. But regardless, the most common symptom of this type of injury is neck pain. With car crashes, many people feel neck pain soon after the collision occurs, while others may not feel pain for hours or days afterward. The pain may spread to your shoulders, upper back or arms. It may be accompanied by stiffness, ache and reduced ranges of motion.
Other common symptoms of whiplash injury include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and blurred vision. Some people may also experience numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, or fingers, as well as difficulty sleeping or concentrating. It's important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of whiplash injury. While some symptoms may go away on their own over time, others can persist or worsen if left untreated. If you believe you've suffered a whiplash injury, schedule an appointment and start the healing process.
Effective Whiplash Injury Treatment
The most common cause of back pain I see in my practice is from overuse, or 'wear and tear'. This occurs when the joints and muscles of your spine are placed under repetitive stress, day after day, after day. Common sources of stress include poor posture, computer use, physical labor, or sitting/standing for long periods of time, like for school or work.
Over months or years, that stress adds up. One day you’re feeling fine, and the next you move the wrong way, and boom! you’re in pain. Or maybe you wake up one morning and can hardly get out of bed. And all you did is sleep! This is your back telling you it’s had enough, and now you have to do something about it.
If that's why you're here, I may be able to help.