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The Long-Term Effects of Whiplash in Santa Monica
Many car accidents are rear-end collisions. Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries from these events. Whiplash happens when the head and neck are quickly moved from back to front. This movement is similar to how a whip is cracked. Your body is not meant to move this way, especially not so fast, and this can cause a wide variety of problems. In fact, many people believe they are fine after an accident, fail to get checked out by a professional, and only discover they are suffering the effects of whiplash months later.
While most expect whiplash to present itself as neck pain, it can actually result in a long list of issues. Some of these problems include subluxations (the misalignment of the vertebrae), damaged nerves, pulled ligaments or pulled muscles in the neck, disc bulges and herniation, or injured bones in the spine.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash Following an Auto Accident
While you may be diagnosed with these issues from whiplash once you seek out chiropractic care and receive a thorough examination and x-rays, before that time you can experience a wide variety of symptoms, many of which you may not associate with whiplash injuries. Some of the symptoms you should watch out for after a car accident include shoulder, upper back, arm, and neck pain. You may also experience headaches, pain when you turn your head or the inability to do so, blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, tiredness, difficulty sleeping, depression, and numbness or tingling in the fingers, hands, and arms.
These symptoms may show up immediately after the auto accident, or not until months later. This is why having an exam by a Santa Monica chiropractor early can be so helpful. By seeking out treatment immediately after your accident, you can prevent further damage and also better understand why the symptoms are happening. If you aren’t examined shortly after your accident, you may not associate your neck pain three months later as being part of that experience. Getting checked out right away can be helpful for tracking your health following the auto accident and tracking any problems that may arise.
