Whiplash occurs when the neck is forcibly moved from front to back or side to side depending on the area of impact . The average head weighs about 11 pounds. The head is attached to the body by the neck which consists of 7 vertebra. If someone is struck from behind in a car, the head will "whip" back and forth causing tearing of muscle fibers, ligaments, axial (nerve) shearing, swelling, pain and even movement of the brain called concussion. Many people can experience headaches and even jaw pain with whiplash injuries. The best way to treat whiplash injuries is a combination of chiropractic treatment, therapies like ice, electrical stimulation, soft collars and eventually rehabilitation. These therapies work by getting inflammation reduced, vertebrae moving, pain reduced all which get the patients neck moving properly and healing to occur. From my experience, muscle relaxants and pain medication may or may not help. Remember, if your problem is physical in nature (muscles, joints, bones, nerves), there will only be a physical solution (chiropractic , rehab, pain management). If you or someone you know has a whiplash injury, make sure you send them to Auto Accident Pain Relief Center of Illinois .
