A car accident can injure your neck muscles and strain the surrounding soft tissue. This condition called whiplash, can severely limit your neck movement.
When another vehicle hits yours from the rear or the side, the force sharply moves your head and neck. It’s important not to ignore whiplash type injuries and to see your Jacksonville FL chiropractor as soon as possible. Fast and careful treatment is the best defense against whiplash.
WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS
Symptoms can be felt instantly, or take days or weeks to manifest. They can include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of mobility in the neck and or shoulders
- Upper back pain
Whiplash commonly refers to neck injuries caused by sudden impact. A violent force can throw your head to the side or backward, damaging the vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments.
The Importance of Your Headrest
The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and consumer reports have seen great improvements in the efficacy of headrests to prevent whiplash-related injuries in a crash, however, the IIHS also rated nearly half of all headrests as poor for cars on the road before 2006.
How to Adjust Your Headrest for Safety
To increase your chances of not getting whiplash follow these rules:
- Your headrest should reach at least as high as the top of your ears
- Your headrest should be no more than four inches (10 cms) from the back of your head
Other Causes of Whiplash
It’s not just car accidents that can cause the nasty effects of whiplash though, falling down stairs, being aggressively tackled playing football, or body checked hard into the boards in hockey could also leave you with a case of whiplash. Some comfort can be taken in the fact that most whiplash injuries are not serious and will heal fully with proper care.
A Healthy Neck is Your Best Defense
Chiropractors are first and foremost primary caregivers who specialize in spinal health. Your neck muscles, tendons, and bones fall under your Jacksonville chiropractor’s area of expertise. Trust your chiropractor and talk about your care with them.
Healing and Recovery with Chiropractic Care
Many people suffering from whiplash can heal quickly and be back to their daily routines in no time. Follow your chiropractor’s recommendations and treatments and it’s likely you’ll have a stronger neck and better posture that will enable you to withstand injury and bounce back quicker if you ever become injured again.
Contact Us
Feel free to contact our team at Meridian Integrative Wellness – Jacksonville with any questions you have.
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