About 20 percent of people involved in rear-end collisions later experience symptoms that center in the neck region. Although most of these people recover quickly, a small number develop chronic conditions that result in severe pain and sometimes disability – but it is very important to be check by a spinal specialist after any trauma.
Interestingly enough the person may not have any pain at the time of the accident and for hours later. Here are some classic signs and symptoms of whiplash which usually develop within the first two days of the accident: neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades, low back pain, pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand, dizziness, and ringing in the ears or blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability, sleep disturbance and fatigue.
Interestingly enough the person may not have any pain at the time of the accident and for hours later. Here are some classic signs and symptoms of whiplash which usually develop within the first two days of the accident: neck pain and stiffness, headaches, pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades, low back pain, pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand, dizziness, and ringing in the ears or blurred vision, difficulty concentrating or remembering, irritability, sleep disturbance and fatigue.
Your spine houses the master system of your body – your nervous system. Traumas such as whiplash can bring the vertebrae out of alignment which causes interference to the nerves exiting the spine (this is an oversimplified explanation of what occurs). The nervous system controls every organ, muscle and tissue in your body so any interference is detrimental. The medical term for this condition is called “Subluxation” and is the cause of many of the unwanted health conditions people suffer from everyday. Your family chiropractor is the only doctor recognized and regulated by the government to properly diagnose and treat Subluxations. Even if your whiplash injury was 30 years ago it is never too late to be checked for Subluxaitons.
Home care is intended to relieve your pain and minimize the amount of inflammation in the soft tissues of your neck. Apply ice to your neck for 35 minutes at a time, up to 4 times per day. Do not apply ice directly to your skin. Place a towel between the ice and your neck. Continue to use ice therapy until the pain stops. (After you see your chiropractor, follow his or her directions for ice therapy.) Only if the pain is intolerable, take acetaminophen for pain relief or ibuprofen for anti-inflammatory action. Avoid ibuprofen if you have a past medical history of gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer disease, reflux, or other stomach problems. Remember these medications can cause serious health problems if taken for prolonged periods of time.
So don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled all around you when driving, especially in your rear view mirror, and please drive safely!
The information in this column is of a general nature. Dr. Amit Sharda – Chiropractor, of HealthWorks Wellness & Rehabilitation supports, educates and treats his patients towards Optimum Health. He hosts the community’s complementary Subluxation check-up centre. He can be reached at (905) 623-8388 or at www.hworks.ca.
]]>