Whiplash is commonly associated with car accidents at high speeds. What these narratives sometimes fail to mention is that whiplash can occur anywhere, sometimes under surprising circumstances. We’ll look at three facts that you may not realize about this condition and how a physical therapist in Flagstaff, AZ, may be able to help.

1. Whiplash Is More Common Than You Think
Whiplash can happen in a car that’s traveling at just a few miles an hour. It can happen when you fall or when you’re participating in sports like boxing or skiing. As you get older, the odds of whiplash only go up. Not only do conditions like arthritis affect your odds of whiplash, but everyone will lose some degree of flexibility and motion range as they get older. The less leeway, the more likely you are to have to deal with the aftermath. If you’ve noticed that your neck hasn’t quite been feeling up to par lately, it might be because you sustained whiplash without realizing it.

2. Many People Ignore Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by an external force that causes the neck to move back and forth quickly, and, as a result, it often has delayed symptoms. This means that the original feelings afterward may not feel like much of anything at all. This makes it easy to discount the feelings, assuming that little more than a good night’s sleep will do the trick. While it’s true that whiplash isn’t considered a critical condition and that many people will get better on their own, other times, you’ll find that the pain and discomfort only get worse over time.

3. A Physical Therapist Can Work Wonders
Whiplash in Flagstaff, AZ, is a common complaint for people who visit a physical therapist. These professionals aren’t there to prescribe medication, they’re there to work with the body’s alignment and help it get back to a state of harmony. If you’re looking for a staff that understands how whiplash can affect not only your neck but the rest of your bones and muscles, contact Base Camp Physical Therapy and Performance. Our team has the expertise to tell you about the mechanisms behind the pain and what kinds of restorative exercises and techniques will help.