Whiplash is an injury that happens when your neck is suddenly “whipped” back and forth. This sudden movement strains the muscles and ligaments in the neck and can cause painful joint restrictions in the spine.

Whiplash is an injury that can occur after a trip or fall but is most commonly sustained after a car accident. In fact, approximately two-thirds of people involved in a car accident develop whiplash symptoms. Many rear-end car crashes can cause a person to sustain whiplash, from vehicles moving at speeds as low as five to 10 mph.

You might feel fine immediately after the accident, however, your neck may begin to hurt a few hours or even days after the accident if you have whiplash. Just because the symptoms appeared later, it doesn’t mean that the injury is any less serious. No matter when the whiplash pain begins, don’t choose to ignore it.

According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

  • neck pain 
  • neck stiffness and difficulty moving your head
  • headaches 
  • pain and muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms

A whiplash injury may be more serious in those with existing neck problems and older people, this is due to their movement being limited as the muscles have lost flexibility and strength. Ligaments in older people may not be as stretchy, meaning there is potential for more damage to occur.

Chiropractic is a suitable therapy for those suffering from injuries caused by a car accident, such as whiplash, and even the emotional stress and anxiety related to the accident. Chiropractic treatment helps to relieve the neck pain associated with whiplash, by realigning your spine and improving the movement in your neck. 

Treating a whiplash injury promptly with chiropractic care helps to prevent any long-term problems from developing, such as chronic pain, arthritis, migraines and headaches. Chiropractic treatments will also reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and speed up any healing time after sustaining a whiplash injury.

You can find out about the chiropractic services available at Backworks by calling us now on 01702 342329, we also offer online chiropractic consultations.