Everyone knows that the pain and stiffness you feel in your neck after an accident is caused by whiplash, but few people understand what is actually happening inside the body to cause that pain. If you or someone you loved has recently been in a car accident it is in your best interest to learn a little about ligament damage from whiplash. This is not the only possible cause of pain as a result of whiplash, but it is one of the most common sources of the pain.
What are ligaments?
Ligaments are small, flexible bands that stretch between the bones throughout your body. These bands are what allow your bones to stay connected together even while your body twists and turns through daily activity. Without these ligaments the bones could not hold together and be as flexible as they need to be for your active lifestyle.
Ligaments and whiplash
When you suffer from ligament injury from whiplash, you are suffering from the strain on ligaments running along neck. These ligaments are there to support the spine and hold it together, making sure you can move your head around and tip your neck backward and forward as needed.
When the force of an accident induces whiplash, your head is thrust in the opposite direction of the rest of your body. This powerful movement stretches the neck muscles and causes the ligaments around the spine to twist and stretch as well. Those small bands holding the joints of your spine together can even tear if the stretching and force is great enough.
Treating ligament damage from whiplash
You can learn more about how ligament damage from whiplash is treated by reading some of the other ligament related articles on this website, but for this introduction it is important to note that this type of damage can be more difficult to diagnose. Ligament damage may not always show up through x-rays, which is the standard screening given by hospitals to accident victims.
It is important to pay attention to any pain, tingling, numbness or tightness felt in your neck, shoulders, arms and head after being in an accident. If you feel anything at all see a physical therapist or doctor for a thorough examination. This way possible ligament damage from whiplash can be diagnosed and treated properly.
If proper care is not received, you could face problems years into the future as a result of this type of whiplash damage!
This article is considered general information only; please consult a medical professional concerning your specific condition.
Related posts:
- Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident: It Could be Related to Whiplash
- Proving Ligament Injury from Whiplash: Are the Odds Stacked Against You?
- Treating Neck Ligament Injury from Whiplash
- The Survivor’s Guide to Ligament Injury after a Car Accident
- Muscle Injury from Whiplash: A Pain in the Neck No One Wants to Experience