Whiplash may sound like an extreme injury, but it’s more common than you may think. Whiplash occurs when soft tissue in the neck are rapidly extended through their normal range of motion. This can lead to strain in ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissue. Whiplash is most commonly associated with car accidents, but you can also get them from amusement park rides and sport collisions.

Your neck serves as a nerve center for signals to travel from every muscle and organ. Whiplash can damage the bone structure and soft tissue in the cervical spine. This can create neck pain, dizziness, and even trouble concentrating. This is why it is important to properly treat whiplash. Whiplash can range from mild to severe depending on the injury. If the injury is mild it may only take a few weeks. However, more severe issues can be more chronic. These can include depression, long-term headaches, insomnia, severe neck pain, and limited range of motion.

Whiplash may be sudden but there are ways to avoid prevent whiplash. Firstly, make you’re your car seat is adjusted, and the head rest is level. It should be positioned between your ears and the top of your head at least three inches away. Additionally, following proper safety protocols when riding a roller coaster and wearing the appropriate safety equipment in contact sports can help minimize the chance of whiplash.

If you are interested in learning more about whiplash, check out the accompanying infographic below. It provides a list of symptoms and treatments for whiplash.

Infographic created by Capital Auto Auction