Whiplash Can This Really Happen To YOU?

By Shandon Thompson, DC, CCSP

Spine & Sports Care of Loudoun

. http://www.ashburnspinecare.com/

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Whiplash Can This Really Happen To YOU?

You're stopped at red light waiting when out of nowhere, you're hit from behind. “POW!” You're not sure what just happened, as it all happened so fast. Is this a dream?

You get out of the car to inspect the damage. You don't really hurt that much, but you feel kind of dazed. When you inspect your car, you notice that, surprisingly, there is very little damage, but you sure feel like your car should be totaled.

The pain-free feeling doesn't last long and within 15-30 minutes, your neck is really starting to hurt. You feel kind of nauseated and light headed. You decide to go to the local emergency room just to get things checked out. At the ER, they most likely take x-rays, recommend medication, and tell you to contact your physician if you have problems. They tell you that you're going to hurt for a few days and “that's normal.”

Unfortunately, over the next several days, pain intensifies to a point where neck and headache pain is constant, you can't sleep, your memory seems blurry, you can't seem to concentrate and lose your place during thought and conversation. You know something is really wrong.

This scenario is not atypical of a low speed collision related injury. The force transferred to the occupant at a 5-10 mph collision can be significantly greater than a crash that occurs at 2-4 times that speed.

In general, when there is less damage to the vehicle and very little metal crushing/energy absorption occurs, the G-force of the collision is transferred to the contents inside the vehicle. This is why when racecar drivers crash, the car basically falls apart to absorb the energy, leaving the driver enclosed in a cage that prevents bodily damage. The everyday vehicles we use are designed more to resist structural damage; you are not well secured and protected in an armored cage.

If you find yourself having recurrent pain following a car accident, consider consulting a physician who specializes in motor vehicle related injuries.