| In the late 1800's there were only two | | | | ligaments tearing parts of bone away. |
| automobiles in the state of Indiana. Wouldn't you | | | | However, the worst aspect of these injuries can |
| know they would hit each other? That was | | | | be the long-term irritation and damage done to |
| perhaps the first auto accident in America. Since | | | | the delicate nerves at the base of the skull, the |
| then there have been literally millions of injury | | | | neck and upper back. Weakened and misaligned |
| auto accidents. | | | | joints and scar tissue put pressure on nerves, |
| However, today cars can go 10 times faster than | | | | cause pain and impair nerve function for a lifetime. |
| they did 125 years ago and there are millions | | | | This can cause serious chronic headache and neck |
| more cars to run into. Enter the whiplash injury. | | | | pain, plus radiating pain, numbness and or tingling |
| When one car hits another the force of the | | | | into the shoulders, arms, hands and upper back. |
| impact accelerates not only the car it hits, but the | | | | Untreated, the misaligned bones wear badly and |
| car's occupants as well. What can happen next is | | | | degenerate. |
| aptly described as a whiplash injury. | | | | What should you do if you think you have had a |
| During this type of accident, the head (attached | | | | whiplash injury? The best approach is to see your |
| to the shoulders by the neck) stays motionless "in | | | | chiropractor. He will take a health and accident |
| space" for just as long as it takes the neck to | | | | history, do a physical examination of your neck |
| stretch to maximum extension. Then a violent | | | | and test for muscle and joint damage. When |
| forward whipping of the head, neck and upper | | | | needed, x-rays will be taken to determine the |
| back take place. Seen in slow motion, the injury | | | | extent of the injuries. |
| may remind you of the cartoon character Road | | | | Of all the treatment options available, chiropractic |
| Runner. In his speedy departures his body leaves | | | | care is both effective and safe. Gentle |
| first, then his head is pulled after him by his neck. | | | | realignment of the spine, physical therapy and |
| Road Runner's neck stretches like a rubber band. | | | | corrective exercises can affect a full |
| However, when hit even at low speeds, we | | | | symptomatic and structural recovery. But don't |
| humans may suffer serious head, neck and upper | | | | delay treatment. Too many accident victims wait |
| back injury. | | | | and suffer too long because some well meaning, |
| What actually happens is muscles, ligaments, discs | | | | but misinformed doctor has told them that the |
| and nerves, even the bones, can be torn in a | | | | symptoms will go away by themselves. |
| whiplash injury. An examination may reveal | | | | In the mean time, adjust your headrest to the |
| muscles in spasm; inflamed and sprained joints and | | | | middle of your head, buckle your seatbelt and |
| occasionally x-rays will show fractures from | | | | drive carefully. |