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Everyone knows whiplash comes from rear-end collisions, right? Sorry, that’s not entirely correct. Whiplash can occur from side collisions and even front-end collisions. Front-end whiplash is serious business and requires immediate treatment for a speedier recovery.

Front-end whiplash can be complicated by several factors. Perhaps the most significant factors are sitting posture and individual characteristics, particularly a person’s height. If a person is not seated with their head in a neutral, forward facing position, the force of the impact affects one side of the spine, increasing both the occurrence and severity of injuries. More about individual characteristics  will follow a look at the symptoms of whiplash.

Whiplash symptoms often develop within 24-48 hours after the injury occurs, but in some cases, they may take weeks or even months to manifest. These symptoms may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness that worsens with movement
• Loss of neck range of motion
• Pain in shoulders, upper back, or arms
• Headaches, often originating at the base of the skull
• Arm numbness or tingling
• Dizziness and fatigue

In severe cases of front-end whiplash, symptoms may include:

• Brain fog
• Memory lapses
• Depression and irritability
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sleep disturbances

Whiplash should not be taken lightly. More than 1 million people suffer whiplash injuries each year and about 10% of those end up with chronic pain. If left untreated, the effects can linger for months, or even years. That’s why it’s crucial to call the Art of Chiropractic at once, and come in for evaluation and treatment if you’ve been in an accident.

Individual characteristics

As mentioned earlier, individual characteristics such as height, age, and gender of vehicle occupants have an effect on front-end whiplash severity. Older individuals are less flexible and more prone to injury. Taller victims are also more prone to injury and often suffer higher symptom intensity.

Surprisingly, front-end whiplash injury can occur at speeds less than 3 miles per hour. There seems to be no correlation between speed of the striking vehicle and initial symptom severity. Research has shown severe initial symptoms are likely to precede a prolonged recovery time, especially if not treated soon after the onset. In fact, nearly half of all front impact whiplash victims report symptoms lasting more than a year. When arm symptoms are present, such as numbness or burning, recovery time may be more prolonged.

If you have been in a collision in Asheville, whether rear, side, or front, the wisest course of action is to make an appointment immediately at Art of Chiropractic for evaluation and treatment.

Our treatment for whiplash includes gentle adjustments of the spine to reduce or eliminate pain, improve range of motion, and restore normal spinal function to help heal the surrounding soft tissue injuries common to whiplash. We also do electrical stimulation for pain relief, Flexion-Distraction to reduce joint compression, and cold laser treatments to aid speedy recovery of damaged tissues.

We utilize a systemic, whole body approach to healing, looking beyond the symptoms and bringing the body into renewed health and balance. This means we will conduct a thorough assessment before arriving at a diagnosis and beginning treatment.

Even if you haven’t been in a recent accident, please come in for an evaluation if you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above. Our comprehensive, all-natural, drug-free approach can plant your feet firmly on the road to renewed health.

Book an appointment at Art of Chiropractic today. Please click the button below to contact us for an appointment.