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What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a sudden acceleration-deceleration of the head, most often during a motor vehicle accident, can cause injury and strain neck muscles and surrounding soft tissues. This type of injury is commonly referred to as whiplash. In such an event, the neck and head are suddenly forced backward and then forward, putting the cervical spine through lightning-quick motions and extreme stresses.

Most cases of whiplash are caused by car accidents where the person has been rear-ended or hit from the side. Other potential whiplash causes can include assault, bungee jumping, roller coasters, sports injuries, falls and other high-impact activities where extreme acceleration-deceleration forces that could impact the cervical spine and head. In all of these examples, a whiplash injury can occur and proper assessment is recommended.

Whiplash Symptoms:

A headache and/or neck pain is most common.  Back pain, dizziness, ringing in ears, jaw pain, visual disturbances, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, or arm pain/weakness. The onset of symptoms can be delayed for up to 48 hours after the injury. For some people, the symptoms can be minor and resolve within a couple days. For others, symptoms can become varied and chronic, ranging from severe pain to cognitive and emotional problems. Due to the potentially high number and varied complexity of whiplash symptoms, they are collectively referred to as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

If left untreated, acute injuries like whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain and dysfunction. Such injuries can greatly affect the quality of life of those afflicted. It is recommended to get examined by a healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms and as soon as possible.

Karen Martens, RMT