A HEALTHY DAY
Whiplash
On my way to work this morning I was trying to think of what I wanted to write about for my next article and then I noticed how slippery the roads were along with how many accidents and cars there were in ditches. Thus, it came to me…whiplash. Yes, it’s that time of year again when we have to get up earlier so we can leave home with enough time to get to work because of the winter weather conditions. This is also a busy time of the year for me because of so many weather related accidents with the most common being injuries sustained from being rear-ended.
Whiplash is mainly strained muscles and sprained ligaments caused from being hit from behind without expecting it. You see, our body has a way of preventing injuries by allowing our muscles to tighten up and prepare for impacts. But what happens in most car/whiplash injuries is that we don’t see the impact coming, so there is no time for our bodies to prepare for the crash. If the accident is severe enough then the injury can be as serious as spinal fracture to nerve and spinal cord injuries. What happens in an accident is that the injured person usually does not have their headrest adjusted right allowing for the head to be forced backwards or extended past the point of maximal muscle or ligament stretch resulting in micro tears and thus pain. Afterwards, a person usually complains of a stiff neck with a loss of range of motion. This could happen immediately or in days to follow. One should always have their headrest high enough so when leaning back on it their neck does not extend backwards. This can prevent most whiplash injuries, along with always wearing your seatbelt.
This type of injury can be treated by any physician, and, one should seek care immediately, especially if they experience symptoms of nausea, dizziness, decreased motor or mental function, and visual changes (go to the ER). A complete exam, including a neurological exam, should be performed along with x-rays. After all fractures and neurological complications have been ruled out then conservative treatment can be done. This consists of an ice application, manipulation, and home stretching techniques for acute phase (1st 3 days to a week) and then heat application, trigger point therapy, more joint manipulation, then tubing and isometric exercises for sub-acute to chronic phases. Nutritional supplementation includes anti-inflammatories such as valerian root, passion flower, calcium, and magnesium to help relieve any muscle spasms. These should be taken with amino acids, glucosamine sulfate, vitamin C, and iron for tissue healing. Again, if one experiences symptoms of nausea, dizziness, eye sight disturbances, severe fatigue, or any other symptoms that may be of concern besides just pain, then go to the ER to rule out/in any neurological complications. This should also be done with any blunt head trauma for fear of internal bleeding in the head. For most cases, this type of injury is fairly easy to treat with the prognosis being very good.
If you have any questions or want to come in for a free consultation then feel free to contact me or come by at:
Nill Family Chiropractic & Wellness Center, LLC.
4656 W. Jefferson Blvd.,
Ste. 240
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
www.nillfamilychiropractic.com
260-459-2205
Thank you and have a healthy day.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Community Invited To Paint Rocks For Urban League Project - April 26, 2024
- The “Bad Guys” In Your Garden & What To Do About Them - April 26, 2024
- Why Voting In The Primary Election Matters - April 26, 2024