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Why You Should Be Concerned About Whiplash
Increased congestion on Colorado's streets and highways combined with increased
speeds on the freeway system contribute to an alarming increase in whiplash
injuries. "Whiplash" is the common name for the injuries suffered
when neck muscles are violently stretched by sudden movements back and forth
or sideways. When the head is suddenly jerked beyond its normal range of motion,
the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine and head can be overstretched
or even torn. The discs between the spinal bones can bulge, tear or rupture.
Vertebrae can be forced out of alignment and the spinal cord and nerve roots
in the neck may be stretched.
Many whiplash injuries occur at low impact or when a car is stopped. The occupants
are often unaware that the car is about to be struck from behind. In cases
like this, the passengers may suffer significant injury, even though the vehicle
itself is only slightly damaged.
As you can imagine, the obvious symptoms of whiplash can be very painful.
More insidious, however, are the symptoms that don't surface until hours,
weeks, months, or even years after the accident. Strangely enough, poor memory,
insomnia, and anxiety can all stem from a whiplash injury. Immediately after
an accident, you may experience headache, restricted head and neck motion,
neck and shoulder pain, and even light-headedness. On the other hand, you
could be completely symptom-free, only to discover later that you are a victim
of chronic muscle spasms in your neck, shoulder and back, pain between your
shoulders or in your arms, numbness in your limbs, dizziness and more. People
experiencing these symptoms often do not relate them to the accident that
caused them. Some of the other symptoms of a whiplash include:
. Headache
. Muscle Spasms
. Blackouts
. Mental Dullness
. Tired Shoulders
. Pinched Nerves
. Nausea
. Low Back Pain
. Excessive Swelling
. Anxiety
. Irritability
. Poor Memory
. Numbness of Hands, Feet, Arms, or Legs
. Tension
. Extreme Nervousness
. Loss of Balance
. Shortness of Breath
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. Head & Neck Pain
. Stiff Neck
. Fatigue (tiredness)
. Muscle Swelling
. Light Blindness
. Neuralgia (nerve pain)
. Light-headedness
. Pain between the Shoulders
. Insomnia
. Loss of Normal Spinal Contours
. Increased Reaction to Drugs
. Periods of Depression
. Restriction of Neck Motion
. Heaviness of Head, Neck
. Ringing in the Ears
. Cold Hands or Feet
. Rapid Heartbeat |
Your Chiropractor Can Help
Because of their intensive training in the anatomy, physiology and treatment
of the neuromusculo-skeletal system, doctors of chiropractic are uniquely
suited to address the pain and functional problems caused by whiplash injuries.
For example, according to a recent comparison of chiropractic, medical and
physical therapy training, DCs have nearly four times the education in neuro-musculo-skeletal
anatomy, physiology and treatment methods as do medical doctors. They have
three times as much training in those areas as physical therapists. It makes
sense to trust your whiplash care to the best-trained professional.
To protect your right to see alternative practitioners for
an auto accident regardless of fault, opt to get Med Pay on your insurance
policy. $10,000-20,000 is recommended.
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