Football Whiplash; A Parent's Guide
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Whiplash most often occurs during a rear-end collision when driving an automobile, but the damage can also occur during athletic injuries. Signs and symptoms of whiplash typically begin within 24 hours of the accident or injury.
You should watch for any of these symptoms:
neck pain
stiffness
headache
fatigue
dizziness
blurred vision
ringing in ears
memory problems
Those who have an auto injury commonly will know to watch for these symptoms. But those who have been injured in a sports accident may not know that whiplash occurred. This is especially true for kids who play aggressive sports. Children must be watched carefully during and after practice and games for these symptoms especially if they fell or got hit. If a child is hit during a football play, the parents may not think to access for whiplash or young children may not be able to communicate the exact nature of their symptoms, offering clues to the extent of the injury. Leaving whiplash damage untreated my cause ongoing bio-mechanical problems.
If you know a Mom whose son plays football, they need to know that chiropractic care is vital for their child. Football and other aggressive sports creates micro-damage that accumulates with each practice and game. The long term effects can change the structure and functioning of the body permanently and parents may be none the wiser. Moms and Dads need to know that this will affect the physical agility, balance and endurance of their child. Ask your friend how often she gets her son adjusted by their chiropractor. If they don't have a chiropractor, ask if you can forward her an article you read recently and tell her to Ask For Dr. Heidi.
