Whiplash
By: Dayna Mulkay | DTCM + Acupuncturist
What is Whiplash?
During the winter months, and as we adjust to the below zero temperatures whiplash is a common injury that can occur due our outdoor winter activities including snowboarding and sledding and even with a fall or slip on icy roads and sidewalks. Whether you are walking, driving, or even skating, whiplash can happen in many ways and it’s important to know when to seek treatment and manage your whiplash injury.
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs due to a sudden forceful change in motion causing unrestrained ‘whip-like’ movement of the head and neck. It causes inflammation and damage to the soft tissues of the neck and upper back, but can also affect both the middle and lower back. Whiplash can lead to a constant sharp, stabbing pain that doesn’t really seem to go away. The pain is further aggravated by any regular activity and movement of the neck.
Many people don’t feel that they’ve been injured right after an accident such as a fall or a slip, and often walk away feeling fine, only to have symptoms develop days or weeks later. Studies have found, that whiplash can occur at any speed — even as slow as five miles an hour. This means that the speed at which a crash has happened isn’t necessarily a factor in the severity of your injury.
If you have whiplash, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Neck and back pain
- Neck stiffness and decreased range of motion
Shoulder pain and stiffness - Headaches (most commonly at the base of the skull radiating towards the forehead)
- Jaw pain
- Arm pain and weakness
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Sensory disturbances, such as a pins and needles sensation down your arm
If left untreated, the condition can lead to chronic head and neck pain. Whiplash can also be complicated by poor concentration, weakness and tiredness, dizziness, and tinnitus (ringing in the ear).
No matter the cause of a soft tissue injury, one of the best things you can do is to receive acupuncture care as soon as possible. Acupuncture stimulates neurotransmitters which kick-start your body’s natural healing process and help relieve muscle tension; which overal helps to prevent injuries from setting in and becoming chronic.
How acupuncture help with whiplash?
1) Acupuncture stimulates the release of opioid-like neuro-chemicals in your brain that help to relieve pain. It also increases the circulation of endorphins in your brain, which are neurotransmitters that enhance mood, relieve pain, and produce feelings of well-being.
2) Acupuncture can reduce inflammation. Research studies have documented that the circulation of inflammation-fighting white blood cells increase significantly during and after an acupuncture treatment.
3) Acupuncture boosts circulation, which promotes healing in a couple of ways. It helps to bring new blood and nutrients to the injured area and flush out inflammation, in result this speeds up healing.
4) Lastly, your range of motion can be dramatically improved through acupuncture. The reduction in pain and inflammation and increase in circulation help to restore movement and speed up healing.
The upshot is that while whiplash can change your life in an instant, there are a number of treatments available to keep your injuries from becoming chronic. Acupuncture is one of those treatments! It can help reduce pain and inflammation, help to restore function, and support the recovery process.
If you have any questions about how acupuncture can help with your neck pain feel free to contact us and follow along in Instagram @ kinetic.living
