WHIPLASH PAIN PERSONAL INJURY ARTICLES



 Free Consultation
  Call 305-461-4848

Make the right choice
Selecting the right doctor to treat your accident injuries is very important for your recovery and your case. 

Choose from one of the Miami Back Institute Accident Injury Physicians at a location near you.

Miami, Coral Gables, West Miami, Miami Lakes

WHIPLASH - UNDERSTANDING WHY YOU HAVE PAIN

 Back to Articles

By: Dr Gary Robertson DC

Whiplash injuries are complex as they may cause damage to various muscles, ligaments, joints, discs and nerves of the neck and back.  The reason that you experience pain is due to the damage of these tissues.

Whiplash is the most common type of auto accident injury and occurs even when vehicle speeds are low.  Accident speeds as low as 5 mph can produce enough force to cause whiplash. If you are not properly restrained with your seatbelt, however, your head may strike the steering wheel or windshield of the vehicle you are in, causing a concussion in addition to whiplash.  

Whiplash can also be caused by slip and falls accidents, sports accidents, roller coasters, or from being punched or shaken. It can also be one of the results of “shaken baby syndrome” (i.e., violently shaking an infant or child).

To describe it simply, whiplash injuries are caused by the movement of your neck beyond its normal range of motion. An 8 mph car collision will produce twice the force of gravity or a 2-G acceleration of the car, and a 5-G acceleration of the head. This forceful movement car injure the muscles and ligaments in the neck. The discs between the vertebrae can also be injured.  This produces pain and reduces the normal movement of the joints. 

Older people, and those with preexisting neck problems such as arthritis, may experience more serious whiplash injuries than a younger person. This is due to the fact that as people get older, their movement is more limited, their muscles lose flexibility and strength. These factors result in greater damage when whiplash injuries occur.

More about Whiplash


If you have been in an accident and have pain, even if it is minor, consult with a doctor who has experience treating accident injuries. Our professional staff has over 20 years experience in managing Personal Injury cases.
 
Author: Dr. Gary Robertson is a 1989 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic. He has over 20 years experience treating patients with accident injuries and has post-graduate training in Whiplash and Spinal Trauma, Spinal Biomechanics and Spinal Rehabilitation. Dr Robertson serves as the President for the Dade County Chiropractic Society.