Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head goes through a rapid movement from side to side or back and forth. This sudden movement can injure bones in the spine as well as discs, muscles and neck tissues. The top causes of whiplash are:
Auto Injuries
One of the leading causes of whiplash is injury from a car accident. Most likely, whiplash occurs when you get rear-ended due to the fact that you can’t brace yourself for impact and nothing stops your head from jerking forward.
Contact Sports
Like most orthopedic injuries, whiplash can be caused by sports with high physical contact such as wrestling, football and hockey. Wearing protective gear and practicing proper techniques can help reduce this risk.
Falling
Falling from tall heights or awkward angles can cause whiplash, such as falling off a ladder, bicycle or chair. It’s important to keep safety in mind when performing tasks from large heights or high risk environments.
Physical Trauma
Any sudden jerk of the neck can cause whiplash. This can include a blow to the head from a falling object or, unfortunately, physical abuse and assault.
How Do You Know You Have Whiplash?
If you’ve experienced any situation above, plus you are suffering from:
- Dizziness
- Pain of the shoulder or between shoulder blades
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Trouble sleeping
- Lower back pain
- Headaches
If you think you suffer from whiplash, contact the Spine and Scoliosis Specialists in Greensboro, NC by calling 336-333-6306 or request an appointment online.