Whiplash is the common name for an injury resulting from the body being subjected to a forceful jerking motion that stretches the soft tissue found between the vertebrae of the spine. It is a common injury with car accident victims as the immediate increase and then decrease in acceleration forces cause the tissue to expand and then contract in a short space of time. Another activity that also sees a lot of whiplash injuries is diving as the body experiences similar changes in primarily deceleration as the body comes into contact with the surface of the water. One of the reasons why the human race has thrived over thousands of years is because of our ability to recognize and escape danger. When we feel as though we are at risk of injury, our bodies produce a chemical called adrenalin that helps to speed up the heart and increase the dilation of wind pipes to allow more oxygen into our blood streams. Another benefit to this is that adrenalin also helps to numb the pain of injuries already sustained; so when we are involved in a car accident, many injuries relating to muscle damage are not felt until a day or two after the accident. The most frequent symptoms of whiplash are pain and stiffness in the upper neck, along with light headaches. Most people suffering from whiplash will feel these effects, but if you are experiencing extremely painful headaches or neck pain then you should visit a specialist as soon as is realistically possible. Other symptoms to be aware of that could suggest other injuries are pins and needles in the shoulders and arms and a sensation of heaviness in the arms. For most whiplash sufferers the symptoms should subside after a period of a few weeks; however depending on how well you treat your body, this period could be extended. Although this type of injury is not something that you will forget about easily, you should always ensure that you do not put any increased pressure on your neck or back so that it is allowed to heal. Avoid lifting heavy objects, too much exercise and bad posture. If you have experienced severe whiplash then there is a chance that you could have permanently damaged your spine. Recovery could well take a number of weeks and you may be on medication for most of that time to help reduce the pain. Some medication can also be particularly strong and also have addictive side effects so always follow your specialist’s dosage instructions to the letter. Continue – Injury Solicitors