Most people have likely heard the term “whiplash” especially following some sort of auto accident. However, the term whiplash is not really a medical term but is used to indicate a cluster of symptoms victims of a car accident are prone to developing.
A seasoned chiropractor with a practice at Denver Chiropractic, LLC, in Denver, Colorado discusses whiplash and everything you should know about whiplash related injuries and more.
What Is Whiplash? Can Whiplash Be Caused by Any Other Event?
Medical professionals usually define whiplash as a cluster of common bony or soft tissue injuries caused as a result from sudden and forceful jerking motions that involve the neck, head and spine moving violently back-and-forth or from side-to-side. These injuries are to be suspected following a car accident or another related incident like contact sports injuries or shaken baby syndrome.
How to Determine Whether a Car Accident Victim Has Whiplash
The majority of individuals have likely seen a commercial about lawsuits involving motor vehicle accidents that result in whiplash injuries. These ads can be misleading, as many accident victims do not report any serious injuries in the direct aftermath of a crash or other collision.
Even if the victim reports a numbness or tingling sensation anywhere from fingertips, to arms, legs or neck and back region, they should immediately be evaluated by a medical specialist to rule out possible whiplash injuries.
Most whiplash victims experience stiffness in their neck region. They may feel pain or stiff when trying to move the head or neck even in slight motions. Always suspect that the victim of a car accident might have whiplash injuries if they complain of a stiff neck or pain or tingling.
Why Does Whiplash Often Result in Tingly Fingers or Body Sensations?
Although the initial injury commonly attributed to whiplash may be that stiff and painful neck and head area, auto accident victims often state that their fingers and/or arms feel buzzy or tingly and sometimes just a feeling of numbness.
This sensation occurs as the injured soft tissue surrounding the neck area begins to swell putting pressure on vital nerves that travel throughout our body. It is crucial to note that if this is not caught and treated promptly, serious injuries can result including chronic head/neck pain or stiffness, difficulties with movement, mood changes, insomnia and even paralysis in the worst-case scenario.
There Are Effective Treatments for Whiplash Injuries
Although the impact of whiplash injuries can be painful and frustrating, there are some effective treatments for whiplash related injuries that include chiropractic care and other complementary treatments. Contact Dr. Trent Artichoker at Denver Chiropractic, LLC for more information about auto accident injury recovery and whiplash or request an appointment, here.