Whiplash can occur in motor vehicles accidents, sporting activities, and accidental falls or in an assault. A little history on whiplash reveals that the term was coined in 1928 and was used to describe common soft tissue neck injury. Other terms used are, acceleration flexion-extension neck injury and soft tissue cervical hypertension injury. Medical practitioners may also refer to whiplash as a cervical sprain, cervical strain or hyperextension injury.
Whiplash is a serious injury which is most often underestimated and frequently occurring in car accidents. A car can be going as slow as 15mph and if in a rear - end collision can result in whiplash in both passengers and drivers. Peoples suffering with whiplash suffer with symptoms, such as:
&bullneck pain,
&bullneck swelling,
&bulltenderness, along the back of neck,
&bullmuscle spasms
&bulland headaches, just to name a few.
These symptoms may persist even after treatment. That is why it is extremely urgent to treat whiplash as soon as possible.
Depending upon the severity of a car accident, emergency medical personnel may take the patient to an emergency department immediately. In this case, a cervical collar will be placed around the patient's neck, and the body will be strapped to a long, firm board to prevent any movements until a doctor sees the patient.
With less severe car accidents, sports injuries, or other accidental injuries, emergency medical services may or may not be involved in the patient's pre-hospital care. You should call 911 emergency medical services if the patient develops any of the above mentioned symptoms shortly after the accident.
If you have been in a minor accident and are treating whiplash at home, you should first apply ice, in a towel, to the neck for 20mins a day when you wake up and take pain relievers for the pain. If symptoms persist for more than 3 days, you should consult a physician or your doctor. Sometimes there are further health problems and repercussions that maybe associated with, or begin with whiplash.
The best solution to whiplash however, is prevention. Prevention is the best way to avoid this injury. And the best way to prevent whiplash is to use the WHIPGUARDâ„?. The WhipGuardâ„? has been designed to specifically decrease the gap between the head and headrest in motor vehicles, so the head doe not snap forward and backward causing whiplash. It has been scientifically proven and tested to aide in the prevention of whiplash. Crash tests prove that Whipguardâ„? is ideal for both driver and passenger and may also be used in the backseat for your maximum safety. It is unlike any other headrest on the market as it has been essentially designed to prevent the occurrence of whiplash in motor vehicle accidents in accordance to US and UK standards.
