Do you have kids who often play rough with each other? Do they join competitive contact sports like basketball, football, and hockey? Have you heard them complaining about having a stiff neck, limited motion in their upper body, and unexplainable fatigue or tiredness? Chances are, your kids have suffered from whiplash at some point. 

Whiplash is a fairly common health concern in the US, and not many people know they have had it until they experience tell-tale symptoms like neck stiffness or tenderness and dizziness. Sometimes, people only confirm that they suffered from whiplash injury when they book an Upper Cervical Care consultation to check for neck bone misalignments and address recurring health problems that conventional remedies fail to relieve. 

As a parent, you might be extra worried that your kids have this type of injury and might suffer from long-term repercussions like balance problems, headaches, widespread body pain, and chronic fatigue. So, let’s help you learn more about whiplash cases in children and the best option you can use to help your kid cope better.

Provide Better Whiplash Care By Knowing the Possible Causes 

Whiplash is a neck injury that results from the rapid and forceful jerking of the head and neck. Most people associate it with car accidents. But did you know your child can suffer from a whiplash injury due to other things? A few examples of these include: 

• Car accidents: Several cases of whiplash in children stem from car collisions. Studies note that the injury mostly affects those who fail to wear seatbelts properly or use poor quality car seats for kids.  
• Sports injuries: Children participating in contact sports, such as football, hockey, and soccer, are at risk of whiplash injuries.
• Falls: Falls from heights, such as falling off a playground structure (think monkey bars, merry-go-round, and slides) or a bicycle, can also cause whiplash in your child.
• Physical abuse: Unfortunately, whiplash can also be caused by physical abuse, such as shaking, spanking, or jerking.

Being aware of these whiplash causes gives you the upper hand because you can anticipate the symptoms before they take a toll on your child’s health. We strongly recommend seeking immediate medical care if your child is exposed to any of the abovementioned factors. This way, you can gauge the severity of the issue and understand how you can move forward.

Best Tips for Caring for a Child with Whiplash

• Take it easy - Encourage your child to rest and avoid activities that could strain their neck.
• Use a neck brace or collar - Keeping the neck immobilized can help the healing process.
• Apply heat or cold - Use a heating pad or ice pack to help ease the pain and inflammation.
• Talk to the doctor - Before giving any medication, consult your child's doctor. You must also report new or unusual symptoms right away.
• Be there for your child - Whiplash can be scary and painful, so offer emotional support and reassurance.
• Avoid sudden movement -  Jarring movements can worsen whiplash, so we suggest paying closer attention to your child’s activities.
• Consider Upper Cervical Care - A trained cervical chiropractor can check your child’s neck alignment and provide necessary adjustments to prevent worse health problems.

Unnoticed and Poorly Managed Whiplash Injuries Can Lead to Problems: Counter Them with Upper Cervical Care

Unknown to many people, injuries from the past can have long-term repercussions. For example, if your child had whiplash several years ago, it could trigger problems that prevent them from enjoying physical activities or doing things they love the most. 

So, if your child had whiplash injuries at some point, we strongly recommend contacting an Upper Cervical Care doctor. This way, you can schedule your kid’s atlas and axis bone assessment and check if these bones are still in their neutral alignment. 

Then, by understanding the posture problem, your trusted Upper Cervical doctor can begin providing the necessary adjustments to restore the spine and help the body heal naturally. 

The adjustments provided for by an Upper Cervical doctor are gentle and calculated. That’s because Upper Cervical Chiropractic physicians understand the delicate nature of the neck and the structures located near the atlas and axis bones. 

So, you can be confident that your child will experience minimal to zero discomfort after each adjustment. Book an appointment with a board-certified Upper Cervical Chiropractor in your city to begin planning your child’s cervical care plan.