What is whiplash?

Whiplash is the term used to describe the rapid forceful movements of the neck backwards and forwards, which occurs most commonly with road traffic accidents or as a sports injury or fall.

What happens to the body with a whiplash injury?

The excessive forces can cause misalignments and loss of mobility of spinal joints with damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and nerves.

How do I know if have whiplash?

The most common symptoms of whiplash are:-

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pain in the arms or legs, feet and hands
• Headache
• Low back pain and/or stiffness
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty swallowing
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Vertigo
• Numbness and tingling
• Pain in the jaw or face

What should I do if I have had a whiplash?

It is extremely important to have an examination and treatment with a chiropractor to address the injuries as soon as possible. If the effects of whiplash are not treated properly, they will often lead to long-term problems.