Accidents can have repercussions years down the road!
Whiplash occurs when the neck is forced forward, and then suddenly backward, creating damage to the joints and soft tissues. There are several situations that can create whiplash:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Slips and falls
When Whiplash Is “Minor”
I find that one of the biggest problems with whiplash is when it’s perceived as a minor issue. This is typically a car accident where the speed is perhaps no more than five to 10 kilometers per hour: “It wasn’t that big of a deal. I’m not in screaming pain!”
With more serious accidents where whiplash is more stunning and obvious, symptoms come on quickly, and most people will take the effort to have them checked out and corrected. But a “minor” whiplash? Damage still occurs. Research has shown that even minor collisions can cause permanent changes to the neck, affecting not only the alignment of the vertebrae, but the integrity of the muscles and ligaments. If it’s not addressed promptly, the damage continues to accumulate and intensify. What’s interesting is that this damage can take five, 10 or 20 years to manifest as a “symptom.”
A Head Start Toward Correction
The best thing you can do following even a minor car accident is to get proper testing done. This often involves:
- A physical evaluation by a qualified chiropractor
- X-rays of the affected area to determine areas of misalignment and ligament damage
Get a head start in correcting these types of injuries so that a molehill doesn’t turn into a mountain. Be proactive and protect your health!