Neck Pain After a Car Accident
- Posted on: Sep 12 2018
Many injuries can occur from a car accident its hard to predict exactly how someone will react in that situation. The injuries vary based on impact, position, speed, and force of the cars involved. A body part that is highly vulnerable in these incidents is the neck. Since the neck is small and weak in comparison to the weight in which it is holding, the muscles are unable to full stabilize the region in the case of an accident. The most common type of whiplash injury in occurs in situations when the person is impacted in the rear. The individual’s body is rapidly pushed forward but the head lags behind. The neck is forced into hyper-extension, or further backward than the neck is normally able to go, and then is thrown forward. The other common occurrence is with a front impact in which the car is rapidly stopped. The deceleration thrusts the head forward and then quickly moves backwards causing an opposite reaction of the first situation.
The symptoms of a whiplash injury vary based on the severity. Pain in the neck and jaw are the most common initially after the injury. The forceful movement can stretch out the cervical vertebra and lead to a decreased lordosis. The reduce curvature in the cervical region places increased stress on themuscles that results in muscle spasms. Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and nausea may occur if the injury includes a concussion. Herniated discs and traction injuries to the nerves could lead of numbness/ tingling down either arm.
Posted in: Neck
