Don't Underestimate Whiplash. If you are reading this page, chances are that you have been in an automobile accident. Most people assume that whiplash is a common injury that results from car accidents. They are right. Whiplash can occur from accidents in which you were hit from behind, from the side and even in accidents in which you hit another car.

In a typical “hit from behind” accident, the first thing that happens after the impact is that your head is thrown backwards. While your head is moving backwards, your bodies natural reaction causes the muscles in the front of your neck to contract in an effort to counter the backward “whipping” of your head and neck. These two events sprain / strain the muscles and ligaments in your neck causing neck pain, headaches and pinched nerves. Auto accidents can also cause cuts, broken bones, concussions, etc.

What should you do immediately after an automobile accident?: DON'T MOVE!

1. Unless you are in danger from other moving vehicles, you smell gasoline, see smoke or any sign of fire, just sit there for a full minute and calm down.

2. Try to relax and take a quick inventory of yourself checking for possible injuries. If your rear view mirror is intact, take a look to make sure your face and head are NOT bleeding. Shock can mask many of your initial symptoms. If you are bleeding don't move until help comes, if at all possible. Slowly test the movement of your neck, shoulders, arms, legs and feet.

3. Regardless of how minor the accident appears or how well you think you feel, never dismiss the possibility that soft tissue damage or Spinal Subluxations (Spinal Misalignments) HAVE occured. See a Spinal Specialist ASAP to be safe. Subluxations may not cause pain for days, weeks, months or even years.

4. If you don't think you are seriously injured, it's time to get hold of yourself and take care of business. Reach into your glove box or console and pull out the brightly colored envelope that contains your blank Accident Report Form/Diagram, (CLICK HERE to print yours NOW!), your pen (Flash light if necessary), and fill out the Accident Report while your memory is fresh.

My San Diego Chiropractic Office treats many patients for neck pain, back pain, pinched nerves and headaches. In many cases, the causes of these symptoms are related to auto accidents or other types of personal injury. More often than not, the auto accidents in question occurred years earlier and the initial symptoms were not taken seriously by the patient.

The injury mechanisms in whiplash type accidents are complex. Muscles are stretched and torn, ligaments can sometimes partially tear or rupture, intervertebral discs can become herniated and spinal fractures can occur. These injuries can lead to a vast number of symptoms that can cause neck pain, back pain, headaches and pinched nerves that range in severity from a slight irritation to severe disability. Back pain and neck pain are bad enough in the short term and much worse in a long term chronic situation.

While the mechanism of injury in whiplash cases is complex, the typical resulting spinal injuries follow a well established path. Initially, the muscles and ligaments in the injured area are irritated. This irritation leads to inflammation. Inflammation is not only responsible for many of the initial symptoms that you experience but it is also responsible for scar tissue formation which can make your symptoms permanent or chronic.

Statistically, approximately 25% of auto injury victims will suffer from some ongoing symptom related to their accident. I see this statistic come to life in my San Diego chiropractic office. Chiropractors are experts in dealing with the types of neck pain, back pain and headaches that occur as a result of auto accidents. The best way to insure that you are not a member of this group of 25% that never fully recover from their auto accident injuries is to get an examination and possibly treatment, if recommended by Dr. Jones.

Even if you are just a "Little sore", get checked out. Dr. Jones has nearly 20 years experience in treating injuries related to auto accident injuries and he can be reached at (619) 280-0554.   Proceed >>>