Whiplash

When I was 17, I was involved in a car accident. I was in my best friends car riding in the front passenger seat. It was at night, and it had been raining all day. We were stopped at a red light waiting for it to turn green when we were hit from behind at about 30 mph. Luckily I was wearing a seatbelt, but came within an inch of almost hitting the windshield. Luckily, no injuries...so I had thought.

The next morning, I remember not being able to move out of bed. I called out to my mom in tears because I thought I was paralyzed ( so it had seemed ). She helped me out of bed, but I couldn't move my neck.

My dad suggested my mom to take me to a chiropractor. No ER, no medical doctor...just straight to a chiropractor. Back in 1987, chiropractors were just becoming noticed, or maybe that is when the first time I have ever heard of one.

I didn't know what to expect. I had no idea what I was about to experience.

The first thing they did was take a whole body x-ray. It was kind of neat to see a full length shot of my entire anatomy. I do remember the first thing the doctor asked me. He had asked me if I wore heels. At first it took me by surprise because I kept thinking, I am here because I cannot move my neck and he's interested in my shoes!?!? He was right. I wore heels or as I used to call them..."pumps" almost everyday with my jeans ( we are talking about the 80's...what girl didn't). He continued to say that he could tell by the way my pelvis tilted back. Interesting, I thought. But what about my neck???

After my examination, I overhear him explaning to my mom as to what happened to my neck. Apparently, the force of the crash extended my neck forward, and when it bounced back, 2 of the vertabraes in my neck, basically "crunched" into each other. So, what he needed to do was "uncrunch" them. I definately wasn't prepared for my first "adjustment" but let me say, when I left there, I was able to move my neck. It was VERY tender and sore and had to wear a neck brace for 2 weeks, but let me tell you...it was a moment I will never forget.

I went to him 3 times a week for a month and fully recovered. He said I may later in my adult life have problems with my back because of this injury. I am happy to say that I am very lucky that has NOT happened yet. BUT, if it ever does, I will know who to go to.

Renee M.