Car accidents are a common occurring nowadays. People can get severely injured in them without even causing the accident. Whiplash or neck strain is one of the common types of car accident injuries. It is caused usually by rear-end crashes and can damage the nerves and muscles of the neck. The injuries resulting from whiplash are not that serious but in some cases can lead to a concussion and tightness of the neck and shoulder muscles. Irrespective of how serious the injury caused by whiplash is, it can take a lot of time to heal and might even restrict your neck’s movement for a few days.
How Whiplash Occurs
Whiplash is caused by the hyper extension of the neck in the aftermath of a rear-end collision. The collision caused the body of the driver to move backwards. While the torso is immediately stopped by the seat back, the neck gets jerked backwards until it hits the headrest of the seat. This sudden jerking motion causes the muscles and ligaments of the neck to stretch beyond their permissible limit. The extra strain put on them creates small tears which can result in swelling, pain and an inability to move the neck.
How to Deal with Whiplash Injuries
Neck pain resulting from whiplash can last for a few days. The swelling will also subside gradually and after sometime, you should be able to move your neck freely again. You will need to apply ice on the neck and shoulder for reducing the swelling. Continually icing the neck can also help in minimizing the pain too. However, if this remedy doesn’t work and your neck movement doesn’t return to the normal range then you should consult a doctor immediately.
Can Whiplash Be Prevented?
Rear-end collisions, which are the overwhelming cause of whiplash injuries can’t be prevented as they are perpetrated by someone else. However, it is possible to prevent whiplash from occurring. Lack of safety features available in the car can exacerbate the whiplash effect. So, making safety upgrades to the car is a preventive measure that you can take for reducing the risk of whiplash.
These safety upgrades include headrests that can move towards the head in the event of a rear-end collision. They can stop the jerking motion of the neck and prevent whiplash from occurring. There are various head restraints and specially designed seats available that can help in mitigating the risk of whiplash injuries.
You can also reduce the severity of the whiplash injuries by wearing the seat belt. It will keep your body secured to the seat and reduce the impact caused by the rear-end collision. Such collisions can damage your windscreen as well especially if it already has some cracks. So, it is a good idea to get the Windscreen Repair. It will further enhance the safety of your car and make it better equipped to deal with whiplash.
