Whiplash and Chiropractic
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You're
in your car, relaxed, waiting at a stoplight. Suddenly you hear a
screeching of tires behind you and the harsh sound of metal hitting
metal. In the split second before you can brace yourself, you feel your
car moving forward from some unseen force! You've been rear-ended. What
happens in these few seconds can have tragic consequences, and what you
do about it in the next hours, days and weeks can forever affect your
health.
Upon impact, your body pushes deeply into your seat.
Your head, momentarily isolated by your neck, delays its reaction while
your body quickly reaches the limits of your seat; then your body
instantly changes directions, moving backward in the opposite
direction! Then your head starts moving backward in the opposite
direction! Unrestrained by a seat belt, your head is jerked back then
forward beyond its normal limits. Everything seems to be happening in
slow motion, yet you are unable to stop your head from whipping
backward then forward. First surprise, then anger, then pain!
Don't
minimize your own injuries because your car has sustained little or no
damage. An immediate chiropractic examination is essential. Pain pills
won't heal inflamed tendons and ligaments. Muscle relaxors won't heal
torn muscles. A cervical collar won't restore a graceful forward spinal
curve.
Specific
chiropractic spinal adjustments, because they can help restore proper
motion and position of individual spinal bones, can help assure proper
healing. Chiropractic doctors can help you get well and stay well after
the trauma of a whiplash injury.
WHY DO I HAVE PAIN IN MY ARMS AND HANDS?
Because
the nerves to the arms and hands exit the spine through the injured
area of the neck, numbness and tingling are common. Even lower back
pain can result directly from the trauma or as a reaction to the loss
of proper spinal curves.
WHY DID MY HEADACHES START MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER MY ACCIDENT?
Whether
you've been in an accident, stressed at work or overexerted yourself in
the garden, your body is constantly adapting to the environment. When
your capacity to adapt is exhausted, symptoms can appear. This can take
days, weeks, months or years to occur.
WILL I EVER BE NORMAL AGAIN?
Many
chiropractic patients report improved spinal curves and an end to their
symptoms. Those who delay seeking appropriate care often discover that
scat tissue and spinal instability require periodic chiropractic
checkups.
HOW CAN I PREVENT WHIPLASH INJURIES?
Since
car accidents are the major cause of acceleration/deceleration
injuries, defensive driving skills can help. Be sure your tail lights
and turn signals are in proper working order. Allow enough stopping
distance in front of you. When you slow down or stop, always check your
rear view mirror to see if the driver behind you is paying attention.
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