Whiplash is the aptly named term for the violent snapping of the head that can occur in certain types of automobile collisions, the rear-end hit in particular. Car accidents obviously are dangerous for all involved. Infants and children in particular, however, are susceptible to serious whiplash injury.

An infant has very little control of the muscles in the neck. This is why it’s so important that, just as you should wear a seat belt, infants and children are properly restrained in a seat. Otherwise the violent tossing of their heads could produce serious neck injury. Just having the child in a car seat is not enough. The seat that is appropriate for an infant is not going to be the right fit for a three-year-old, and vice versa. So make sure you have the appropriate seat for your child and make sure it is installed properly, whether it be front- or rear-facing. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely.

If you are in an accident, you should see a chiropractor as soon as possible. Whiplash symptoms often don’t appear until days after the incident. Timely chiropractic treatment can be effective in heading off the pain, stiffness and headaches that can result from whiplash. Talk with your chiropractor about other ways to protect yourself and your precious passengers when driving