Whiplash is a form of neck injury that happens after the neck is suddenly and forcibly thrust/moved from side to side or back to front. Trauma from whiplash may damage the neck, spine, and upper back muscles, nerves, and connective tissue. Dr. Lawrence Altman in Fort Lee, NJ, offers chiropractic care for those experiencing pain and other whiplash symptoms.
Causes of Whiplash
The most common whiplash injury occurs when a car is hit from behind forcefully and suddenly. However, whiplash may also be caused by a sports injury or simply a traumatic fall.
If a car accident is the source of the trauma, these factors will usually establish the magnitude of the injury and associated symptoms:
- The vehicle(s) speed.
- The directional impact.
- The injured person/passenger/driver’s age, gender, and physical condition, among others.
Typical Whiplash Symptoms
It's important to understand that the signs and symptoms of whiplash might not be apparent immediately following the event or collision. Certain whiplash symptoms may not show up until after the passage of several days or weeks. As such, it is important to realize after the accident that even if you are not experiencing any pain or obvious symptoms, it's not sensible to assume that you are uninjured.
In fact, the decision to delay treatment may create a chronic condition that might have been avoidable but that needs to be managed moving forward.
Whiplash symptoms vary but usually will include one or more of the following:
- Neck pain, which often intensifies from movement.
- Restricted range of motion.
- Neck tenderness or stiffness.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Headaches that generally start from the base of the skull.
- Blurry vision.
- Fatigue
- Dizziness/vertigo.
- Lack of concentration.
- Insomnia.
- Tingling that moves down your arms.
Contact Your Fort Lee, NJ, Chiropractor
A whiplash injury can damage the structural components of the neck and upper back muscles, including nearby tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Additionally, whiplash often creates cervical spine misalignments. While some people are fortunate in that their recovery is simple and needs little medical intervention, most people who have whiplash require professional intervention to a) treat current symptoms and b) proactively manage chronic conditions. For more information regarding whiplash treatment options, contact Dr. Altman or a member of our staff at 201-886-8600 or online.