Your Whiplash Fact Sheet

The facts about whiplash

Whiplash is defined as a soft-tissue neck injury and sometimes referred to as Neck Strain or a Neck Sprain. You can suffer whiplash under a variety of circumstances, like slip and falls, collisions while playing sports, and even workplace accidents. But the vast majority of cases occur when people are in automobile crashes.

In fact, whiplash usually occurs when motorists are involved in rear-end accidents.

Approximately two-thirds of people involved in motor vehicle crashes develop whiplash.

Neck sprains and strains are the most frequently reported injuries in U.S. insurance claims.

Each year, an average of 805,581 whiplash injuries are reported in the U.S. alone.

How does whiplash occur?

1. While the driver (and any passengers) are moving along normally, they are sitting in a natural position, with their head and torso moving at the same speed as the vehicle.

2. However, at the exact moment of collision when the vehicle is struck from behind, the vehicle’s is suddenly thrust forward due to the impact, causing your torso to rise up and your head to tilt backward.

3. In the subsequent milliseconds after the impact, your torso rebounds but your head snaps forward violently.

This can cause a series of traumatic injuries to your neck, back, and spine, such as:

• Hyperflexion
• Hyperextension
• Spinal ligament damage
• Muscle injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

In fact, a large number of whiplash cases go undiagnosed and untreated since the pain and extent of these injuries might not manifest for days, weeks, or even years after the accident. Too often, these injuries also linger when not treated immediately and correctly. For instance, it may take up to two years for your whiplash injuries to stabilize, and 71% of people still show symptoms of their injuries seven years after they occurred!

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

• Recurring neck pain
• Headaches
• Shoulder discomfort or pain
• Low back pain
• Jaw tightness and pain
• Trouble swallowing
• Blurred vision
• Burning or prickling sensation
• Ringing ears
• Nausea
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Irritability and mood changes
• Dizziness or feeling of vertigo

The financial impact of whiplash injuries

Aside from the injuries and physical discomfort caused by whiplash, it has a significant economic effect, too. In fact, 66% of all insurance bodily injury claims are for neck injuries. And the cost of these insurance claims is now an estimated $8.8 billion annually, including medical costs, insurance payouts, and also lost wages and productivity. To put that $8 billion+ figure in perspective that’s the entire Gross Domestic Product of the country of Malta!

How can we better prevent or minimize the damage caused by whiplash injuries?

• The first step is to purchase and operate a car with a good rear-crash safety rating. (You can ask your car dealer or easily research it online.)
• Before you start driving, make sure your headrest is at the proper height.
• Sit upright in your seat and don’t slouch, lean forward, or to the side.
• Since the majority of car accidents are caused by people following the car in front of them too closely, make sure you don’t tailgate.
• NEVER drive while distracted because you’re playing with the radio, answering your phone, or texting!
• Always wear your seatbelt – no matter where you’re sitting in the car – and make sure that all of your passengers (especially children) do, too.

How can chiropractic care help treat whiplash injuries?

As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I specialize in diagnosing and treating whiplash as well as other injuries suffered in auto accidents. If you’ve been in a car crash or other accident and are showing signs of whiplash, it’s so important that you schedule an appointment to come see me as soon as possible.

During the acute phase, soon after whiplash occurs, I will work to reduce the inflammation in your neck as well as evaluate your spine as a whole, safely and effectively reducing the pain and trauma caused by whiplash.