Whiplash is most commonly associated with auto accidents, specifically accidents in which the vehicle has been rear-ended. Whiplash is when the head is thrown forward and backward rapidly. During a car accident a person who sustains whiplash will often hit the headrest as well which can cause more damage.

Whiplash, or a neck sprain/strain, can cause damage to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots in the neck. Symptoms of whiplash can actually take a few days to develop. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
• Low back pain
• Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Irritability, problems with sleep, fatigue

Some of these injuries don’t show up on standard x-rays. It’s very important to see a chiropractor because they specialize in soft tissue and spinal injuries. In states like Minnesota, which is a no-fault state, auto insurance covers personal injuries like whiplash. This means that if you are involved in an auto accident you are completely covered to receive medical attention for your injuries. You have this coverage whether you were driving, a passenger, caused the accident, or were a victim of an accident. As long as you have auto insurance you have coverage for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident, like whiplash. The treatment can involve chiropractic care, physical therapy, medication, even surgery in some cases. Most whiplash cases are not serious enough to require surgery, and most patients find that chiropractic care is the best option and provides the best results when it comes to recovering from whiplash. Chiropractic care is effective in diagnosing where injuries have been sustained and treating that specific area to alleviate whiplash symptoms. So if you have whiplash, remember that chiropractic is a great option to help get your body back to full health.