What Is Whiplash? Understanding the Injury and Its Impact
Have you ever been in a car accident or experienced a sudden jolt to your head or neck? If so, you may have suffered from whiplash—an injury that can occur even at speeds as low as 5 MPH in a rear-end collision.
So, what exactly is whiplash?
Whiplash is the overextension or rapid snapping of the neck muscles caused by a forceful, sudden movement of the head—typically forward and then backward. While car accidents are a common cause, any activity or incident that results in a sharp jolt to the head or neck can lead to whiplash.
Not Just Neck Pain: Signs of Whiplash
Neck and back pain are common symptoms, but they’re not the only indicators of whiplash. In fact, many people experience a variety of symptoms, sometimes delayed by days or weeks after the injury.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
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Pain in the arms or legs
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Herniated discs
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Carpal tunnel syndrome
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Vertigo or dizziness
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Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
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Headaches or migraines
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Visual disturbances
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TMJ (jaw pain or clicking)
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Fatigue or insomnia
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Trigeminal neuralgia
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Torticollis or dystonia (muscle spasms, abnormal head posture)
Even if you’re not currently experiencing neck pain, these symptoms may be connected to an underlying whiplash injury—and they can worsen over time if left unaddressed.
The Connection Between Whiplash and Fibromyalgia
If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you may notice that many of the symptoms listed above overlap. This is not a coincidence. Research and clinical observations have shown that whiplash and other neck or head injuries, including concussions, are often linked to the onset or worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms.
How NUCCA Care Can Help
NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) care focuses on correcting misalignments in the Atlas vertebra—the top bone in your neck. When the Atlas is misaligned, it disrupts normal brain-body communication, leading to a cascade of health issues such as nerve irritation, reduced cerebral blood flow, and impaired nutrient delivery.
Realigning the Atlas through gentle NUCCA adjustments restores balance to the upper cervical spine. This not only relieves pressure on the nervous system but can also help resolve many of the symptoms associated with whiplash and fibromyalgia.
If you’ve experienced a head or neck injury—even one that seemed minor—consider having your upper cervical alignment evaluated. Proper care now can prevent long-term complications and help you regain your health.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/