Whiplash is an injury to the ligaments and tendons in the neck when it is moved forward, backward, or sideways, often as the result of a car crash. After an accident, the symptoms of whiplash may not be felt until around six to twelve hours later, and may become worse over the following days. Whiplash symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, tenderness, reduced neck movement, and headache. Women are more likely to experience whiplash than men. Whiplash accounts for more than three-quarters of all injury claims after road accidents.
Causes
Traffic accidents, blows to the head, particularly during sports such as boxing or rugby, or a slip or fall that causes the head to suddenly jolt backward can also cause whiplash.
Symptoms
Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
- Lower back pain
- Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears or blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue
Whiplash Injury Care and Treatment
The doctors and chiropractors at 5280 Cryo & Recovery Clinic offer whiplash injury care and treatment that can help you optimize your recovery time and results. Get in touch with us today to learn more.