Many people have heard the term whiplash and even experienced it to some degree. However, most do not understand the condition or how they could have even sustained it in the first place. To help provide some clarity, our team at Spine Pain Center answers some of the most common questions below.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a very common auto accident injury that occurs when the head moves rapidly back and forth beyond its normal range of movement. This causes the soft tissues in the neck to tear and become inflamed and tense. This is the body’s natural response to both heal the neck and keep the soft tissue immobilized to aid in the healing process. Unfortunately, it causes a great deal of pain and discomfort.
Is whiplash only a car accident injury?
Though it is most commonly a car accident injury, it can also occur when playing contact sports, experiencing slips and falls, or having something heavy dropped on you – pretty much any event that can cause the head and neck to move rapidly and forcefully.
Why is it called whiplash?
This term refers to the movement of the head and neck due to a collision. It’s similar to the motion created by an actual whip. While the movement is typically forward and backward, it can also occur from side to side.
The car that hit us wasn’t going too fast. How could I have sustained such an injury?
Imagine that you are running at just one to two miles an hour. You come around a curve and run straight into a wall. While you might not be moving that fast, sudden contact can still impact the body. It’s the same with a vehicle. It takes little speed to create enough force to cause an auto accident injury.
It hurts to move my neck. Won’t chiropractic care make it hurt worse?
The good thing about visiting a chiropractor for such auto injury treatment is that they understand the nature of the injury and how much discomfort it can cause. You can rest assured that treatment will not be forceful or contribute to the pain you already feel. Instead, we’ll begin with gentle soft tissue therapy methods to address the inflammation and limited range of motion you experience. Only after that is complete will we utilize additional methods to address any hard tissues that have been impacted.
Schedule Auto Injury Treatment with Our South Carolina Chiropractors
If you’ve sustained an auto accident injury, our team at Spine Pain Center can help you achieve natural and effective relief through customized care. You can schedule an appointment at our Mt. Pleasant office at (843) 884-8444, North Charleston office at (843) 606-2412, Summerville office at (843) 879-9259, Surfside Beach office at (843) 238-5900, North Myrtle Beach office at (843) 273-4205, or Irmo, Columbia office at (803) 781-4092.
