Auto Injury - Whiplash

Auto accidents occur suddenly. If you are hit from behind or have hit someone else, your head may quickly move forward and backward in a whip-like motion. As a result, the muscles, tendons, and vertebrae of your neck are strained.

Whiplash Symptoms

You may experience any or all of the following whiplash symptoms:

Neck pain

Overstretched muscles, tendons or vertebrae that have slipped out of place may be pressing on nerves, causing pain. If a disc between the vertebrae has been injured, you may also experience neck pain.

Headaches

If the nerve signals are interrupted or circulation has decreased due to the misalignment, you may experience headaches. These headaches can be consistent or fluctuate.

Blurred vision

Another symptom of an interruption of the nerve signals is blurry vision or difficulty in focusing.

Upper back pain

The discomfort may extend in your upper back depending on how far your head was thrown forward and backward. These muscles may be stretched and require chiropractic care.

Fatigue and Irritability

When your nervous system has been interrupted, you may be feeling tired or irritable.

Dr. Edwards and the health team at Hoover Health and Wellness Center, Inc. provide effective chiropractic care for whiplash injuries. Dr. Edwards uses chiropractic manipulations to place your neck into a healthy alignment. If a vertebra has slipped out of position during the accident, Dr. Edwards gently slides the vertebrae back into a natural, pain-free position. This improves your nerve signal flow and circulation to your head to minimize pain and other symptoms. We also use corrective exercises to establish balance and strength in your neck and upper back. Dr. Edwards may suggest dietary changes to lessen inflammation and improve your body's ability to heal. Our health staff educates you about daily changes to eliminate your pain and improve your healing. This may include arranging your desk height and adjusting sleeping or reading positions to keep your neck aligned.