• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Tri-State Clinic North

520 Cherokee Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37405

Schedule Now

New Patient Forms

Call (423) 265-1366

Tri State Clinic North Chiropractic of Chattanooga

Dr. Amanda Austin Chiropractor and Braincore Therapy Provider

  • Home
  • About Chiropractic
    • How Does It Work?
    • Its History
    • Phases of Degeneration
    • What is a Subluxation?
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • BrainCore Therapy
  • Contact
    • About You
    • FAQs
    • Wellness Tips
  • Reviews

April 26, 2017

How Low Speed Rear-end Accidents Can Cause Whiplash

chiropractic low speed car accidentYou are sitting in your car, stopped at a traffic light. Suddenly, a vehicle rear ends your car. The impact isn’t hard although it is unexpected. You take a look at your car and see that there is minor damage, or no damage at all, to either vehicle. The bumpers absorbed the bulk of the energy from the crash so they essentially protected the car. You feel a little pain in your neck and upper back, perhaps a little dizzy or you have a headache, but you shrug it off, reasoning that it is from the unexpected jolt. After all, they didn’t hit you that hard. You exchange information with the other driver and go on your way.

The next morning is a different story. Your neck is painful and stiff. You have pain in your shoulders and back as well. A visit to the doctor reveals a diagnosis of whiplash.

Is Whiplash Real?

Some people will tell you that whiplash is a made-up injury that people use to get more money in a settlement stemming from an accident. They do not believe it is possible in a low speed rear end accident and see it as a legitimate injury claim, mainly because there are no visible marks.

Some insurance experts claim that about a third of whiplash cases are fraudulent but that leaves two-thirds of the cases legitimate. There is also a great deal of research that supports the claim that low speed accidents can indeed cause whiplash – and it is very, very real. Some patients suffer from the pain and immobility the rest of their lives.

The Mechanics of Whiplash

When a person is sitting in their vehicle they are usually upright with their head directly over their shoulders, and the neck as the support. The key to whiplash is that it is unexpected. When the vehicle is struck, the torso of the person in the first car is thrust forward. However, the head does not immediately follow but instead falls backwards, behind the torso for a split second. In this position the neck is hyperextended for the first time (to the rear).

As the torso snaps back against the back of the seat, the person’s head falls forward but is quickly yanked back as it follows the movement of the torso – then passes it. This is the second time the neck is hyperextended (to the front). The effects of this movement that lasts only a few seconds can cause debilitating pain and immobility. It is compounded when the headrests are set too far back and are too low so that they do not provide adequate support.

What to do if you are in a Rear End Collision

If you are in an accident, especially if you are rear ended, and experience whiplash, see a doctor that day – even if you don’t feel much pain. The sooner you get in to a doctor, the sooner you can begin treatment should a problem develop.

Often, people with whiplash don’t experience any effects until a day, or even two, later. The key is to stay ahead of the pain and take measures sooner rather than later to relieve it and keep it at bay. It also provides documentation should other issues arise and you need the information for legal purposes.

Seeing your chiropractor soon after your accident can help you heal faster and manage your pain more effectively. With techniques like gentle manipulation and deep tissue massage, your neck can begin to heal almost immediately. Then you can get back to life a lot faster.

This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.

Filed Under: Chiropractic & Auto Accidents

Primary Sidebar

Grab Our Email Updates


Our Hours

our hours

Monday: 9 am - 1 pm ; 3 pm – 6 pm
Tuesday: 9 am - 1 pm
Wednesday: 9 am - 1 pm ; 3 pm – 6 pm
Thursday: 9 am - 11 am
Friday: 9 am - 1 pm ; 3 pm – 6 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Make An Appointment

Recent Chiropractic Articles

  • The 4 Best Core Exercises for Beginners No Matter What Your Age
  • 3 Ways Consistent Chiropractic Care Can Help Keep You Healthy
  • Quality of Life Restored
  • What Is Lumbago and How Can Chiropractic Help?
  • How Chiropractic Can Help Overcome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Footer

Conditions & Symptoms

Allergies
Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel
Disc Problems
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Neck & Back Pain
Sciatica

Chiropractic Blog Articles

  • The 4 Best Core Exercises for Beginners No Matter What Your Age
  • 3 Ways Consistent Chiropractic Care Can Help Keep You Healthy
  • Quality of Life Restored
  • What Is Lumbago and How Can Chiropractic Help?
  • How Chiropractic Can Help Overcome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Our Chiropractic Clinic in Chattanooga, TN is Located Here:

Copyright © · Tri State Clinic North Chiropractic · 520 Cherokee Blvd. · Chattanooga, TN 37405

Healthcare Disclaimer | HIPAA Privacy Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service

Chiropractic Marketing, SEO & Website provided by Chiropractic Marketing Websites