Defining Whiplash 
If you were recently in a car accident, you might feel fine, but you should not assume that your lack of pain means the impact did not cause underlying issues. The collision most likely caused a rapid movement of your neck much like when someone cracks a whip. Of course, that is why this rapid movement gets the name Whiplash. Your neck is only meant to move so far in any direction, and whiplash causes your neck to over extend the neck muscles and ligaments.
The easiest and most common way to deal with whiplash is to ice and take pain medication. While ice is definitely a recommendation, pain medication will only cover the symptoms of hidden complications to the neck, spine, and the entire body.
Effects of Whiplash
TMJ – The Temporomandibular Joint is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull and enable you to open and close your mouth to talk and eat. When this joint is moved out of position, what is commonly known as TMJ or TMD occurs. This can lead to further complications, such as shoulder weakness, toothache, headaches, earaches, and more can occur.
Tinnitus – This is a ringing in the ear and is the underlying sign of another condition such as TMJ. One thought as to the cause of Tinnitus is that it is an overflow of information to the brainstem. If this ringing in the ear occurs, you will definitely want to get checked out for further complications.
Vertigo – This is the constant spinning of a room even when there is no movement, and it occurs in 25 – 50% of all occurrences of whiplash.While there may be other injuries to the neck or spine, this results when there is an injury to the brainstem.
These are just a few of the effects that can take place as a result of that overextension of the neck. It is important that whether you were in a recent car accident, slipped and fell, or your body was otherwise jolted in such a way that could have led to whiplash that an upper cervical specialist check you for further complications.
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Dr. Young Chung of NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, with a location in Chicago and a 2nd location in Wheeling is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves Northbrook, Long Grove, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove and Vernon Hills. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, whiplash injuries, post-concussion syndrome. This type of care has also shown benefits for athletic performance and pregnancy outcomes. More information can be found on our website at https://nuccawcc.com
