Whiplash results when your cervical spine's muscles and ligaments extend rapidly beyond their normal range of motion.
At our Hinesville Chiropractic Office, most patients begin experiencing symptoms 24-72 hours following their accident.
That's why it's essential to pay attention to any symptoms that may arise for a few days following any Car Accident Injury.
Believe it or not, many common Whiplash Injuries happen in Car Accidents between 6-10 mph, so don't assume you're safe because your accident was minor.
In the article below, we discuss common symptoms of whiplash and the proper treatment for them.
Table of Contents
- Neck and Upper Back Pain
- Headaches and Migraines
- Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
- Arm Pain
- Fatigue
- Jaw Pain
- Anatomy of the Neck
- The Arrowhead Clinic of Hinesville
Neck and Upper Back Pain
Neck and upper back pain is the most common symptom of a Whiplash Injury.
Whiplash is localized in the neck and upper back, making it vulnerable to pain.
Headaches and Migraines
Headaches due to neck pain are called cervicogenic headaches.
They are due to injury of an upper cervical disc, facet joint, or the occipital joints.
Cervicogenic headaches typically make migraine symptoms worse as well.
Shoulder Pain and Stiffness
Pain or stiffness that occurs in the shoulders is due to referred pain from the neck.
After a Whiplash Injury occurs, your body uses surrounding muscles to help secure the injured area through splinting.
This causes deferred pain.
Arm Pain
Arm pain is due to nerve compression from a bulging or herniated disc in the cervical spine.
Your chiropractor will diagnose this type of Whiplash symptom through X-Ray or an MRI.
Fatigue
The pain from your whiplash can make it hard to sleep, leading to symptoms of fatigue.
Your nerves can also get irritated in your upper neck, disrupting regular deep sleep patterns.
Jaw Pain (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joint is the focal point of the force associated with the rapid and sharp movement in a whiplash injury.
The TMJ is the hinge at the back of the jaw that is susceptible to any violent force trauma to the neck or jaw.
Anatomy of the Neck
Your spine is a long chain of bones, discs, muscles, and ligaments extending from the base of your skull to the tip of your tailbone.
Your cervical spine supports the head and neck, protects the delicate nerves and spinal cord, and allows the neck's natural function during activity.
The significant structural support comes from the seven cervical vertebrae.
There is a spongy cartilage shock absorber called the disc between two adjacent vertebrae.
In the back of your vertebra is a facet joint on each side.
The facet joints are designed to allow for the smooth motion to bend forward, backward and rotating, but also limit excess motion.
Muscles and ligaments surround and support the spinal column.
All of these structures have nerve supplies, and Whiplash Injuries are a common cause of pain to any one of these areas.
The Arrowhead Clinic of Hinesville
If you need further information about Whiplash Injuries or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should seek medical attention right away.
Our team of Medical Doctors and Chiropractors in Hinesville can assess your injuries and develop a treatment plan to return you to health.
If you need the help of a quality Whiplash Attorney in Hinesville, we can help with that as well.
Our Hinesville Whiplash Injury Chiropractor specializes in car accident injuries like whiplash and offers a free consultation to all first-time patients.
Click the button below to schedule your free consultation.
