Whiplash!

Have you ever heard the term ‘whiplash’? You may think it is something that is just made up by injury lawyers. However, whiplash is in fact real, and it existed before the car was invented. Whiplash used to be called railway spine, as it was often an injury that occurred during train accidents. There is some confusion about whiplash because it is not technically the medical term for the injury.

Whiplash describes a set of medical conditions involving the ligaments and muscles throughout your shoulders and neck, as well as your vertebrae. When these areas are damaged, a person may experience an extreme amount of pain.

CAUSES OF WHIPLASH

Whiplash typically occurs when the neck extends suddenly due to violent force. It is a common injury when someone is involved in a rear end accident. As the other vehicle hits you from behind, your head may be thrown back and then suddenly forward. When your head is snapped back quickly, it can damage the ligament that runs down your spine that helps to stabilize it.

The back and forth motion can cause the spine to take an S shape. This may cause other injuries to the muscles of the back. Many victims of whiplash also have damage to their trapezius muscle located in the upper back. This can cause victims of whiplash a constant source of pain.

SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH

If you were involved in an accident and your head and neck were jarred in a quick motion, it is important to look for these symptoms to determine whether or not you have whiplash:

• Increased amount of pain within the neck
• Stiffness in the neck
• Not being able to move your neck
• Arm numbness
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Memory problems

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