How to Avoid Headache and Whiplash Injury During a Car Accident
Hi, I am Dr. Erik Slovin, from DrSlovin.com.
I am a chiropractic physician specializing in non-drug treatment for injuries that come from auto accidents and slip and falls.
Today, I wanted to talk about how to protect yourself from damaging your neck in a car accident.
Neck pain and headaches are often seen together. It’s common to suffer headache and migraine symptoms after a crash, so today I thought I’d teach you a few tips and tricks on what to do and how to set yourself up in a car so you are less likely to get hurt.
For years, insurance adjusters have claimed that the damage sustained by the car directly correlates with the damage sustained by its occupants (YOU). This is So VERY wrong.
Not too long ago, I heard a story of a young couple that just got married.
On the way to the airport for their honeymoon, they got into an accident. The husband was killed immediately. The wife didn’t have a scratch on her.
They were in the same car. How’s that possible?
Well, it goes to show you, the damage to the car is absolutely not equivalent to the damage endured by the person.
One thing has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the other.
Studies show you can suffer whiplash-related injuries such as headaches, neck pain, numbness and tingling into the hands and arm at speeds as slow as 2.5 mph. So basically, you can walk yourself into a wall when not paying attention and suffer a case of whiplash.
You don’t actually have to be in a car.
During a slip and fall, or a car crash, muscles, tendons and ligaments get pulled and stretched beyond their normal limits causing rips and tears ultimately causing you significant pain. Ligaments, for example, heal with scar tissue. Without proper management, they become weaker, less elastic, and highly prone to pain and re-injury.
Women have thinner, more flexible neck muscles then men, and are therefore at even greater risk of long term debilitating pain following an accident. Recent studies show that 80% of women who suffer neck muscle injuries continue to experience chronic pain even 15 years later.
So here are 3 ways to help you prevent whiplash and other serious side effects:
First, always wear your seat belt.
That goes without question. I don’t care how tall you are, how fat you are, if you’re’ pregnant or if your father has a comb over.
You need to wear your seatbelt.
Second.
Set up your seat, so that when you sit, the headrest sits one to two inches above the top of your head.
This will help prevent your head from ramping or extending up over the top of the headrest if you’re hit from behind.
Third.
Many of us have this thought that if we remain relaxed during a collision and just kind of go with the flow, that we won’t suffer a whiplash injury.
This couldn’t be more incorrect.
If you stiffen up, tuck your chin down a bit, keep your hands on the steering wheel without really gripping the wheel.
Your muscles can help protect you and you can greatly reduce your injuries.
Keeping your seatbelt fastened, setting up your head restraint properly and making sure your stiff upon collision are three things you can do to help yourself next time you think you may be in a crash.
I hope you have found these tips in this video helpful.
If you have, tag a friend, share the video. There’s lots of info in here that could quite possibly help someone avoid severe long-term whiplash-related symptoms.
Have you been able to avoid a whiplash injury from a recent accident? How? What did you do?
Let me know in the box below. I’m always happy to hear from you.
If you have any questions… please email me at :drslovin@drslovin.com and maybe I can answer your question in my next video.