Understanding
Whiplash and Compressed Nerves
A Personal Letter from Drs. Brenda and Erik Slovin…
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash
injuries are the result of your head and neck being whipped suddenly
in one direction and then in the opposite direction. The injury
can be more severe if the head and neck are turned slightly to the
right of left when the injury occurs.
15% to 30% of car occupants involved in auto accidents will suffer
from a whiplash injury.
What
Symptoms Are Common From a Whiplash Injury?
Symptoms
may appear immediately following a collision or can even show up
later the next day, next week, or even next year. Any of the following
are common symptoms associated with a whiplash injury:
• Soreness or stiffness of the neck and or middle back
• Headache and or migraine
• Pain and or numbness between the shoulder blades
• Ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Facial numbness
• Radiating pain down the arms into the hands and fingers
A whiplash can range from mild to severe. A severe injury can result
in tearing of muscles and ligaments which attach to the neck vertebrae,
the head and shoulders. The severe whiplash can produce excruciating
pains upon the slightest movement of the head and neck. A cough,
sneeze or sudden movement can be almost unbearable!
I Have Whiplash, Now What?
Following
a whiplash injury, and after it has been determined that it is not
a
life-threatening injury involving broken bones, hemorrhaging or
internal organ damage, all persons involved should have a spinal
examination to determine if any of the individual segments of the
spine are now compressing any spinal nerves.
Nearly 100% of time, trauma forces the misalignment of spinal bones.
This misalignment can result in pressure on the nerves where they
emit from in between the spinal bones causing a spinal subluxation.
When subluxations are involved, the neck muscles often spasm in
their attempt to realign the spine.
Muscle relaxants and other medications may provide temporary relief
by numbing the symptoms, but if drugs are used in place of, or instead
of, correcting the compressed nerves, the injury may become chronic
with recurring aches and pains for many years.
Take
Action!
Whether you are the driver or the passenger, if you are involved
in an automobile accident, immediately move the vehicle off the
busy roadway and set up flares. The worst accidents happen when
you’ve already been hit once, you’re waiting in your
car, without a seatbelt, for help to arrive and the car behind you
doesn’t realize that you’ve stopped.
Try to protect the occupants of the vehicle, but be cautious about
moving obviously injured people.
Next, write down the license plate number of the other vehicles
involved then call the police. Exchange names, addresses, phone
numbers and insurance information with all the involved, and make
notes on how you remember the accident happened.
When you are able, call your insurance company, let them know what’s
happened to you.
Lastly, consider a spinal examination by a specialist. A prompt
physical exam is the best advice. Confer immediately with a spinal
specialist who will determine the extent of any injuries. Understanding
what to do when in an accident happens and what types of injuries
can occur may save you time, money and long-term medical care.
..............................................................
Slovin Family Chiropractic Center
205 Main Avenue, Norwalk CT, 06851
Phone: 203-840-0000
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