Whiplash injuries myths and truths

Whiplash is usually associated with car crashes, whereas a person’s head jerked forward or backward suddenly and… pain resulted. Basically, with whiplash, that sudden force stretches and/or tears the muscles and tendons in a person’s neck, and that hurts!

What are some whiplash injury myths and truths?

Perhaps the main myth out there is that the vehicle’s speed of impact predicts the whiplash injury. You’d assume if the car or truck is going really fast, then automatically the whiplash injury will be more severe? That’s a myth. The speed of impact doesn’t matter. The truth is a person’s whiplash injury can be serious even with what others would consider a minor “fender bender.”

Another myth is that a person will feel whiplash symptoms right away after the accident. Honestly, it might take years before the pain starts in some cases. There’s even a name for this: “delayed onset whiplash associated disorder.” So, perhaps you were in a crash years ago but initially felt fine– but now, years later, you’ve got neck, head and shoulder pain? It could be that!

Here’s something that has been found to be true: if a person had their head turned to one side during a low speed crash, then they are less likely to develop whiplash. Interesting, right? So keep that in mind should you ever be put into that position– turning your head before impact could help prevent future problems. Posture matters when it comes to whiplash.

Chiropractors can really help people with whiplash injuries, which often involve subtle vertebral subluxations. Basically, with whiplash, spinal bones (vertebrae) may have become misaligned. The chiropractor’s job is to align them, thus taking away the pain and helping the nervous system return to normal.

If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, it’s a good idea to visit Dr. Gerard at Lakewoods Chiropractic in Forest Lake, MN, for an evaluation. Whiplash not only can cause neck problems, but also bother both the back, and, indeed, the whole body, leading to cognitive and emotional problems. The sooner the body is checked and “adjusted” after the traumatic event, the better! Please call the Lakewoods clinic at 651-464-0800 to make an appointment.