Whiplash Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Options
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash, or acceleration-deceleration injury, is one of the most common injuries in the musculoskeletal system. This condition is caused by the rapid, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck or spine, often due to high-impact events like car accidents, sports injuries, rollercoasters, or even slip-and-fall incidents.
The term "whiplash" comes from the cracking motion of a whip, mimicking the sharp, sudden movement of the head and neck that overstretches soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While whiplash is often associated with car accidents, it can happen anytime your body experiences sudden jerking motions.
How Does Whiplash Happen?
Whiplash injuries typically occur due to hyperextension (backward movement) followed by hyperflexion (forward movement) of the neck or spine. This sudden motion overstretches soft tissues, similar to pulling a rubber band beyond its capacity. Eventually, the tissue may tear, resulting in a condition known as microtrauma, where tiny tears form in the fibers of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries
Car accidents
Sports injuries
Rollercoaster rides
Slips and falls
Physical assaults or sudden impacts
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms often take time to manifest—ranging from 12-24 hours, or even several days after the injury. This delay occurs because the body initially produces adrenaline, which masks the pain. As the adrenaline subsides, inflammation sets in, causing stiffness and swelling in the injured area.
Common symptoms include:
Neck pain and stiffness
Headaches (especially at the base of the skull)
Shoulder and back pain
Burning, numbness, or tingling in the extremities
Dizziness and visual disturbances
Difficulty swallowing
Fatigue and sleep disturbances
Why Do Symptoms Appear Late?
After a whiplash injury, your body undergoes an inflammatory process. Initially, adrenaline helps you cope with the injury by reducing your perception of pain. However, once the adrenaline wears off, swelling and stiffness set in, leading to the onset of symptoms. This is why many people don’t feel the full effects of a whiplash injury until days later.
How Whiplash Affects the Body
Whiplash injuries affect multiple structures in the body, including muscles, ligaments, discs, nerve roots, and facet joints. These are all pain-sensitive areas, and when overstressed or injured, they can result in a wide range of symptoms:
Muscles and Tendons: Injury to muscles and tendons can cause a loss of range of motion and flexibility.
Facet Joints: These joints, when irritated, may cause pain at different points of the body, depending on the affected region. For example, damage to the upper neck joints may result in headaches, while lower neck injuries might cause shoulder or back pain.
Nerve Roots: Compression or irritation of nerve roots can cause symptoms such as burning, numbness, and tingling, similar to a kink in a garden hose disrupting water flow.
What to Do if You Suffer from Whiplash?
If you've experienced a whiplash injury, it's important to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid chronic pain and long-term complications. At Movement Spine and Sport, our experienced doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating whiplash injuries using a personalized, patient-centered approach.
How We Treat Whiplash at Movement Spine and Sport
At Movement Spine and Sport, we offer a thorough evaluation of your whiplash injury. This includes:
Medical history review
Comprehensive physical examination
Range of motion assessment
Orthopedic and neurological tests
Postural screenings
If necessary, we may recommend imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to gain a clearer understanding of your injury.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Once we’ve assessed your condition, we’ll develop a customized treatment plan designed to reduce pain, promote healing, and restore mobility. Our treatment options include:
Chiropractic adjustments
Rehabilitative exercises and stretches
Electric muscle stimulation
Therapeutic ultrasound
Soft tissue therapy
Cold laser therapy
Intersegmental traction
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
If you're suffering from whiplash, contact Movement Spine and Sport today. Call us at 704-980-9049 to schedule your FREE CONSULTATION and start your journey toward recovery.
Dr. Casey Schneible
Chiropractic Physician and Owner
