One in every 100 people worldwide suffers from some form of ongoing chronic neck pain due to whiplash. While whiplash is one of the most common personal injury claims, it isn’t readily understood.
While some use whiplash as an excuse to “cash in” on an accident, it is rare. Most anyone who complains of neck pain after an accident is truthful and expresses a very real, very painful medical condition.
Let’s break down what whiplash is and how you can begin to heal from it.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash or whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) is a soft tissue neck injury that occurs when your head suddenly and forcefully moves backward and forward, like the cracking of a whip, hence the name. The injury force causes stretching and sometimes even tearing in the soft tissues, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments within your neck. Even though the neck hasn’t been broken, multiple muscles could be sprained and take months to heal fully – and even beyond that, the injured person may still experience symptoms of the injury for a long time after.
Causes
While car accidents remain one of the top causes of whiplash, there are additional things that cause this condition, including:
- Sports Injuries
- Physical Abuse
- Forceful Amusement Park Rides
- Horseback Riding
Symptoms
Symptoms of whiplash typically show up soon after the injury occurs, most often within 24 hours. Occasionally, symptoms will show up at different times, with some not showing up for a few days. These symptoms can include:
- Constant Fatigue
- Blurred Vision
- Neck Pain and Stiffness
- Frequent Headaches, especially around the base of the skill
- Dizziness
- Problems Concentrating
- Trouble Sleeping
- Ringing in the Ears
One of the best things you can do after an accident that causes your head and neck to be aggressively shaken is to pay close attention to your body and how it feels. If any mix of symptoms listed above begins to appear, seek out immediate medical attention.
Whiplash Treatment
Treatment options for whiplash are relatively straightforward. Medical professionals will often prescribe NSAID medication to help with pain and inflammation. More severe cases may require a higher prescription dosage. A neck brace may also be given to help keep the neck protected and supported while it initially recovers from the injury.
While medication and braces are the usual go-to methods for recovery, there is an alternative method.
Chiropractic Care at Levi Chiropractic
Dr. Levi utilizes different techniques to help ease the pain of whiplash. He approaches a whiplash injury gently and methodically. His key goal is to reduce pain and make his patients as comfortable as possible. By applying targeted restorative mobility methods, he gently stretches the muscles and adjusts the joints, allowing space for continued healing and ultimately restoring full range of motion before scar tissue can begin to form.
If you’ve experienced whiplash in a car crash or other accident, call one office for an appointment before the permanency of your injuries begins to settle in.