If you are ever unlucky enough to be injured in a car accident you may experience a strain of your neck muscles and the surrounding soft tissue. The feeling is called whiplash and it can limit your neck movement severely.

When a vehicle is hit from the rear (or the side), the force can cause a sharp movement to your head and neck. It’s important not to ignore whiplash type injuries and to see your Waterloo chiropractor as soon as possible. Fast and careful treatment is the best defense against whiplash.

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Whiplash symptoms

Symptoms can be felt instantly, or take days or weeks to manifest. They can include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Loss of mobility in the neck and or shoulders
• Upper back pain

Whiplash is the common term used to describe any neck injuries from sudden impact. Your head is thrown to the side or backwards violently and vertebrae, discs, muscles, and ligaments can all be damaged.

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The importance of your headrest

The U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and consumer reports have seen great improvements in the efficacy of headrests to prevent whiplash-related injuries in a crash, however, the IIHS also rated nearly half of all headrests as poor for cars on the road before 2006. To increase your chances of not getting whiplash follow these rules:

• Your headrest should reach at least as high as the top of your ears
• Your headrest should be no more than four inches (10 cms) from the back of your head

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Other causes of whiplash

It’s not just car accidents that can cause the nasty effects of whiplash though, falling down stairs, being aggressively tackled playing football, or body checked hard into the boards in hockey could also leave you with a case of whiplash. Some comfort can be taken in the fact that most whiplash injuries are not serious and will heal fully with proper care.

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A healthy neck is your best defense

Chiropractors are first and foremost primary caregivers who specialize in spinal health. Your neck muscles, tendons, and bones fall under your Waterloo chiropractor’s area of expertise. Trust your chiropractor and talk about your care with them. Many people suffering from whiplash can heal quickly and be back to their daily routines in no time. Follow your chiropractor’s recommendations and treatments and it's likely you’ll have a stronger neck and better posture that will enable you to withstand injury and bounce back quicker if you ever become injured again.

Feel free to contact our team at O'Hara Chiropractic Office with any questions you have.