Whiplash

Whiplash: The Symptoms You Must Know

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backwards and forward.

It’s the most common injury during an automobile accident and is one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain.

While a fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research shows that even minor accidents can result in significant injuries.

During an auto accident, violent forces can damage your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones – even at “low” speeds.

Most of these injuries happen because your head is whipped backwards and forward very quickly. This rapid motion often results in torn ligaments and injured discs.

Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression may indicate that you’ve suffered a whiplash injury.

You may not immediately notice any pain due to an adrenaline spike during the accident. For many people, these symptoms develop over hours or even a few days and go unnoticed until the initial shock of the car accident wears off.

To Recap

  • Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury affecting your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and joints.
  • Symptoms of whiplash may include neck or back pain, headaches, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping.
  • There is often a period of little to no discomfort before the symptoms of whiplash injuries worsen.

Next Steps

Getting a complete evaluation after an auto accident is wise to minimize your risk of long-term pain.

Getting the proper care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly.

Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the road to relief.

Best,  

Los Gatos Sports Chiro

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