Whiplash Statistics You Should Know
While it can be debilitating and painful, myths and misconceptions abound when it comes to whiplash. Statistics indicate it’s a common injury, but don’t always tell the whole story. Learn more about this excruciating condition, and how it can be mitigated through targeted treatment.
Whiplash: Statistics and Facts
A soft tissue injury to the neck, whiplash is most commonly the result of rear-end or side-impact vehicle collisions. Fifteen to forty percent of those who experience acute neck pain after a car accident will develop chronic pain. Up to seven years after a rear-end collision, patients surveyed who suffered whiplash at the time of the accident when on to report higher rates of headaches, back pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue and general ill health.
Research indicates that whiplash can have far-reaching implications, affecting more than the neck over time. Since more than two million Americans experience whiplash injuries each year, this condition is a very real problem, the lingering effects of which affect an estimated 15.5 Americans on any given day. It’s important patients and the public learn how serious this often-maligned condition can be to those who suffer from it on a chronic basis.
Does Whiplash HEAL ON ITS OWN?
When you’re in pain and unable to go about your daily life, you just want relief from the misery of whiplash. Statistics are of little use to patients who are suffering, but quality care can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Patients who work with chiropractors to address whiplash can treat the root cause of their pain, a traumatic injury to the musculature, soft tissues and skeletal structure of the neck. By correcting misalignments and subluxations, an experienced chiropractor can give relief to patients suffering from headaches, neck pain and other conditions associated with whiplash. Along the way, communication pathways for major systems of the body controlled by the spinal cord can be cleared, potentially offering relief from a host of conditions patients may not have even attributed to a neck injury.
Because early treatment is so vital in providing quicker healing, minimized pain and restoration of mobility, you should always seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Symptoms of whiplash can take anywhere from a few minutes to a full day to set in, and you want to avoid any risk of chronic whiplash-associated pain.
Seeking Treatment for Whiplash? Statistics Show a Chiropractor is Your Best Bet
Under the care of a chiropractor, you should have a clear treatment plan with goals and a definable end date for treatment. Despite common misconceptions, you will not have to continue visiting a chiropractor for the rest of your life once you’ve been treated. Many patients choose to maintain a regular adjustment schedule for general wellness, pain relief, better mobility and greater flexibility.
If you’re fighting the pain of a whiplash, statistics indicate you will need targeted, customized treatment through a care provider who specializes in the musculoskeletal system. Often, chiropractic care is simply the most effective and non-invasive option for patients suffering from chronic pain.
