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In the world that we know today, car accidents have become one such problem that cannot get left ignored. And the automobile industry continues to become the center of life. Therefore, it only makes sense that such an industry comes with its share of flaws. One such leading cause that leads to the majority of the accidents seen on the road includes soft tissue injuries, bruising, etc., which become a common cause of spinal injury. Other ailments and signs also include ligament stiffness around the neck region after the muscles in the area jerk with a sudden motion at the accident site. The phenomenon mostly gets referred to as Whiplash injury and can cause damage to the cervical spine. Victims often feel disabled in doing much else and suffer from terrible bouts of discomfort.
Extensive research analysis got carried out on crash dummies using high-speed cameras. The study revealed that the bones in the lower regions of the spine get forced into a position called hyperextension. And on the other side, the upper bones get positioned into a state of hyperflex. And this unusual arrangement of the bones forces the spine to push into an irregular S-shape, which pulls apart the ligaments piecing the vertebrae together.
Research proves that around 3 million Americans fall victim to Whiplash injuries annually. About 1.5 face long periods of acute pain, while approximately 300,000 show signs of disability. You might feel surprised that whiplash injuries can even occur at slow speeds, such as even below 12 miles per hour. And that only shows just how fragile the human body can be. The National Transportation Safety Board suggests that one car accident occurs every 10 seconds and counts for 2 million injuries per year. What was the most concerning, however, was that most of such accidents were Whiplash injuries.
The culprit behind Whiplash injury
Car design
A car accident can increase up to about 30%, but it depends on your car interior. For example, a headrest located too high or too low that creates an awkward angle for your head can increase your chances of a Whiplash injury.
Age
With age, humans feel a natural decline in overall muscle strength and ligaments. At times, reflexes start weakening, and the body loses its flexibility. Therefore, it gets more fragile, and movement becomes limited to the extent that even a slight neck strain can cause Whiplashes.
Gender
Women and children have a greater tendency to suffer from accidents on the road because they naturally get built this way. For instance, their body frame is naturally shorter and smaller than men. And that is why children especially find seatbelts too loose on them. And often, women get forced to bring their seats closer to the steering, which puts their heads at a dangerous distance from the wheel and airbag.
‘Prevention is Better Than Cure’
Judging from the ailments and factors described above, perhaps it only makes sense to stay on the safe side to prevent things from getting to that extent.
- using the car’s headrest for cushioning the head in place
- make sure to sit securely in your seat and ask the staff to buckle you safely at theme parks where the chance of Whiplash accidents increase
- avoid sleeping without a cushion under your head for support
- avoid sleeping in weird positions because that also puts too much pressure on the neck tendons, and that can cause problems in future
- be mindful of wearing your security gear when playing sports
Underlying Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash symptoms often come alive within the first 24 hours of the accident. And you can read about a few below.
- dizziness
- discomfort in the jaw area
- shoulder pain
- back pain
- a considerable increase in stiffness
- blurred vision
- ringing sounds in the ears
- the body gets numb
- extreme and frequent exhaustion
Professional Care and Treatment
Former beliefs supported the bracing of the injured neck area using a soft collar. However, practitioners soon saw that such measures only came in the way of their recovery, especially in cases where the patients faced no signs of irregular spinal alignment. In such cases, exercising is the way to go to allow more range of motion to the worn-out muscles.
Chiropractic Treatment
That brings us to the topic of chiropractic care and treatment and how the chiropractic approach administered by a healthcare professional can naturally relieve neck or back pain. In a couple of cases, just the hands can be skilled enough for the job, and small tools also come in handy.
A sudden pressure produced onto the joints can get the work done. It accentuates spinal movement and aids the body in performing its vital activities. After you go to the police office to get your post-accident matters cleared, you must immediately visit a chiropractor.
Effective Ways Used by Chiropractors
There are various forms of chiropractic care. Marietta chiropractic clinic shares a few of the techniques used by a chiropractor in the guide below.
Heat Therapy
Have you ever come back from the gym and then taken a hot shower to relax those sore muscles? Hor towels or hot baths also play the same role in reducing swelling or relaxing the tensed tendons.
Colar or Neck Brace Usage
Many patients approve of this method of treatment, and in some ways, it could be fruitful. However, it can increase neck fragility over time if not done right by a professional chiropractor.
Spinal Manipulation
It is a statement, especially for those on whom the exercises do not take effect. It involves a treatment method where the chiropractor stretches the injured area. And the intensity of the process depends on the patient’s tolerance levels.
Last Thoughts
The problem usually is that patients do not keep themselves well informed of their disease. Hence, a stronger know-how of the physical and psychological effects is important.
So what are you waiting for? Head to your nearest chiropractic care and book your topic now, especially if you live anywhere around the states since the US offers several options and accepts health insurance.