Accidents & Injuries

When we think of accidental injuries, trauma such as a car accident comes to mind. However, starting with your first big trauma -- birth, followed by the spills you take while learning to walk -- your body is subject to a long series of accidents. These minor accidents accumulate over time and greatly impact the spine.

Neck Problems and Whiplash

If subluxations can occur in minor accidents, they are even more likely to occur after a serious accident. Whiplash is an injury to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head -- either backward, forward, or sideways. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond normal limits, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can be overstretched or torn. The soft, pulpy discs between the spinal bones can bulge, tear, or rupture. Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing one’s range of motion. The biggest danger with whiplash injuries is that the symptoms can take years to develop. Too often people don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop.

60 - 70% of those suffering from whiplash complain of headache. The pain may be on one side or both, on again off again or constant, in one spot, or more general. These headaches, like the neck pain, are often the result of tightened, tensed muscles trying to keep the head stable and, like tension headaches, they are often felt behind the eyes.

Shoulder pain often described as pain radiating down the back of the neck into the shoulder blade area may also be the result of tensed muscles.

Muscle tears are often described as burning pain, prickling, or tingling. More severe disc damage may cause sharp pain with certain movements, with or without radiation into the arms, hands and/or fingers, which may be relieved by holding your hand over your head.

The chart below lists the most common whiplash symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, play it safe and get a chiropractic check up today.

Basic Whiplash Symptoms:

Whether from a car accident, sports, or an accident at work, whiplash or other neck injuries warrant a thorough chiropractic check-up.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive stress injury. It usually develops slowly over time. The repetitious contraction and relaxation of the arm muscles enabling continuous hand and finger movement can irritate the nerves, tendons, and fascia (muscle covering) in the arms, wrist, and hands. The structural misalignments in the neck caused by years of poor posture or prior trauma can compress the nerves that travel to the hand, making the person more susceptible to hand symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness of grip. Many repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome respond well to chiropractic care.