Whiplash can be a real pain in the neck.
Imagine not being able to turn your head without wincing, or constantly dealing with headaches, dizziness, and numbness. For most people, the effects of whiplash gradually improve over a few weeks with conservative treatments like physical therapy.
But for others, symptoms can persist for months or even years. This interferes with their daily function and quality of life. If this sounds like you, read on to find out why your whiplash might be sticking around — and what you can do to finally get some relief.
There are five degrees of whiplash that can occur. Let’s dive into them, and the various ways you might endure whiplash in the first place.
First off, whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden, forceful back-and-forth or side-to-side movement of the head. This causes the muscles, ligaments, and bones in your neck (also known as the cervical region) to stretch and compress very rapidly.
The most commonly known culprit behind whiplash? Car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. They don’t even need to be that major for an injury to occur. Even if you walk away unscathed from a couple of minor collisions, the effects of whiplash can take a toll on your neck over time.
Collisions are not the only cause of whiplash, however. It can also result from playing contact sports like rugby or football, or even riding a roller coaster. With car accidents,Ultimately, anything that makes your head suddenly whip back and forth can put you at risk. Another cause of whiplash you might not typically think of, but we need to discuss, is physical abuse. I’ve talked to some patients during consultations who aren’t aware that the whiplash symptoms they are experiencing are a direct result of ongoing physical violence endured in their personal lives.
The effects of whiplash can range from mild to severe and may not even show up until a few days later. In Canada, the Quebec Task Force of Whiplash-Associated Disorders (or, WAD) classifies patients with symptoms sustained after the initial neck injury into five grading systems:
At Grade 0, the patient shows no signs of pain or injury. Grade I includes only neck pain and stiffness. In Grade II, neck and musculoskeletal problems are reported after whiplash. These include swelling or tenderness in the area and a reduced range of motion.
Grade III is where the injury disrupts nerve signals and causes neurological symptoms that commonly include:
Headaches radiating from the base of the skull
Numbness or tingling in the shoulders and arms
Dizziness or vertigo
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Blurred vision
Muscle weakness or fatigue
Patients classified in Grade IV have sustained a fracture or dislocation post-whiplash and may show a lot of the symptoms above.
In some cases of WAD, people also report pain in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), backaches, cognitive problems like brain fog and difficulty concentrating, and psychological issues like depression and anxiety.
For some, injury to the neck muscles causes muscle tension dysphagia. This is characterized by a choking sensation that makes it difficult to swallow food, water, or even saliva. Dysphonia (disorders of the voice) can also accompany this condition. People with dysphonia have a strained, hoarse, or breathy voice and a constant need to clear their throat.
It’s possible to receive a whiplash injury in a variety of ways, from car accidents to roller coaster rides, to enduring physical abuse. Understanding the effects of whiplash is vital for understanding how to mend our bodies with the proper guidance and care.
While it might feel difficult to talk about, it is important that this aspect of whiplash injury is acknowledged in a safe and compassionate way. If you or somebody you know has experienced physical or sexual abuse, help is just a phone call away, via the Conneticut Office of Victim Services.
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