Even low-speed car accidents can cause whiplash or other injuries. Whiplash is a serious injury no matter how it is caused. Whiplash should be treated by health care professionals such as chiropractors, who are trained in the health and care of the spine.
This excellent 3D video demonstrates exactly how and where whiplash injuries can occur in a motor vehicle accident.
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As traveling increases during the holiday season, it's important to recognize that everyone knows that getting into a car accident can cause whiplash, neck pain, and even low back pain. So please be careful on the roads out there! But did you know that driving can cause low back pain all by itself? Even without crashing into anything? It is well-established that a sedentary lifestyle can cause low back pain and even earlier death. Naturally, when driving or riding in a car, we're prolonging the amount of time we sit and reducing the amount of time we're standing or being active. Additionally, car seats rarely allow you to sit properly with the correct low back and neck curvature, so usually you'll end up slumped in your low back and neck with your shoulders rounded forward. This posture increases the pressure and load in the ligaments and discs of the low back and neck. So simply by sitting in a car seat, we're inviting trouble! This is nothing new. Even back in in the late 1980s, research studies were beginning to correlate driving with low back pain and sciatica. City bus drivers also face potential low back pain due to the amount of time that they remain seated, as well as the whole body vibration that they experience when bouncing around large vehicles. Truckers also face potential low back pain, and not only because of the time spent in the cab. Often, truckers will have to jump out of their truck in order to unload the back of the truck. Unless the trucker is able to walk around for a few minutes prior to lifting anything heavy, it is possible that his/her low back will not be stable enough to withstand the pressures and load of lifting immediately after prolonged sitting. In order to prevent car-related low back pain: - Keep your car seat as upright as possible. - Make sure that your low back is not slumped. Use a cushion or lumbar support if necessary. Often, pre-installed lumbar supports are not sufficient or are poorly placed for your body. - Sit with your rear end as far back in the seat as possible, to avoid additional low back slumping. - Squeeze your shoulder blades together as you drive. This keeps your shoulders back and helps maintain proper neck posture. - Lean your head back against your head rest, if possible. This eases the tension on the muscles at the front of your neck. If your seat is as upright as possible, you'll still easily be able to see the road. If your seat is reclined, it is more difficult to rest your head and neck, which may well cause tension headaches. - On long trips, stop frequently and walk around your car to re-engage your back and leg muscles. - Don't be upset if you have to park a long way from the front door at shops, stores, and malls. A little extra walking can only help stimulate your low back and leg muscles. - Make sure to keep your spine neutral as you get into and out of your car. - Don't keep your hands at 10 and 2! That's no longer recommended. Try these tips instead. - Ask your chiropractor for more postural advice that's specific to your car and your situation. |
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DisclaimerUnless otherwise attributed, all content is written by Kyle Johnson, DC, of Johnson Family Chiropractic of Peoria.
All images used are under Creative Commons license. Although every effort has been made to provide an accurate description of our chiropractic care and its benefits, the information given on this website and blog is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, medical advice for any condition. If you have any questions regarding your condition, you should seek the help of Dr. Johnson in person, so that he may properly assess your condition. This blog is provided by Johnson Family Chiropractic of Peoria, S.C., proudly located in Peoria, IL. |