Whiplash is an injury that most often results from a traumatic physical event. It involves the neck being swung backward and then forward at a high rate of speed. Whiplash symptoms may not be present immediately following the traumatic physical event; symptoms may present themselves several days after the event. Recovery can depend on the severity of the whiplash.
This condition can be caused by things like car accidents and even roller coaster rides. If you think you may have gotten whiplash from riding a roller coaster, take a look at some of the symptoms, causes, and benefits of going to physical therapy for treatment, listed below.
What are some of the symptoms of whiplash?
Whiplash has a few distinguishable symptoms. Not every case of whiplash will exhibit these exact symptoms; these are just a few of the most common experiences.
Common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and stiffness, shoulder pain and stiffness, pain in the lower back, and numbness, tingling, dizziness, or ringing throughout the body. It’s also common to experience a limited range of motion.
What are some causes of whiplash?
One of the more important things to remember about whiplash is that it most often occurs after a traumatic physical injury or event. Whiplash isn’t something to take lightly. If you’ve developed this condition, it’s essential that you seek professional care.
Potential circumstances that could cause a person to have whiplash include:
- Roller coaster ride — One potential cause of whiplash is a roller coaster. Roller coasters move fast and in all kinds of directions, and riding one can cause your neck to whip back and forth at too fast a rate.
- Car accident — A common cause of whiplash is a car accident. The sudden lurching movements back and forth are more than enough to cause an injury of this kind.
- Sports injury — If you’re an athlete, you may have an increased risk of developing this condition. Certain contact sports like football or boxing often result in traumatic injuries to the neck, like whiplash.
- Falls — Another common cause are falls. When you fall to the ground, if your head is not protected, you risk bouncing your head on the ground and not only receiving a concussion, but whiplash too.
Why should you go to physical therapy for whiplash from a roller coaster?
- To strengthen the muscles in the neck — Physical therapy patients who have whiplash after going on a roller coaster may benefit from treatment because it can strengthen the muscles in their neck. Strengthening neck muscles can protect the joints, ligaments, and tendons in the neck and prevent injuries from recurring in the future.
- To reduce pain — Another benefit of going to physical therapy after getting whiplash from a roller coaster is that it can help relieve some of your neck or shoulder pain.
- To decrease inflammation — If you have any inflammation in your neck as a result of whiplash from a roller coaster, a physical therapist may be able to help you decrease some of that inflammation through gentle stretching and exercise.
- To lower muscle tension — Gentle stretching and exercise during PT also have the potential to reduce muscle tension that may have built up as a result of whiplash from a roller coaster ride.
- To regain motion in the neck — Whiplash can limit mobility and range of motion in the neck, but physical therapy may be able to restore much of that mobility so that you can move your neck with relative ease.
Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness is ready to help your whiplash from a roller coaster
Our team at Forever Fit Physical Therapy & Wellness can offer you a unique and customized physical therapy experience. We value our patients so much that we strive to provide each one with a personalized treatment plan that caters to their individual lifestyles, habits and future goals. If you’re dealing with whiplash from riding a roller coaster, we can guide you through the treatment plan you need to effectively manage your condition and work toward the relief you’re looking for at any one of our several locations.
During our physical therapy sessions, our physical therapists will guide you through your treatment with the utmost care and focus, making sure that you’re completing your exercises or movements with accuracy and efficiency for the best results.
Are you ready to take the first step toward recovering from whiplash? Do you want to learn more about how physical therapy is one of the best treatments for it? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.