If you have been in a car accident, you may be suffering from symptoms of whiplash. Whiplash can occur at any speed, no matter how minor or severe a fender bender is.
Whiplash gets its name because of the motion of the head and neck-snapping back and forth, much like a whip. The force of the head moving forward and slamming backward will lead to symptoms such as stiff neck, headaches, sore muscles, and loss of range of motion, to name a few.
You must seek treatment right away after experiencing injuries such as whiplash, and it’s best to see a whiplash doctor who specializes in the treatment of this specific issue. The onset of whiplash symptoms may not be felt for a day or two after the accident, but treatment is still necessary for proper healing and relief.
Rest alone may not be enough for a full recovery. Treatment may vary depending upon the severity of whiplash and symptoms displayed. If treatment is delayed, it can lead to long term adverse health effects such as chronic pain.
Long Term Health Concerns of Whiplash
While whiplash pain can be immense, it can worsen over time, leading to other health concerns, if not treated promptly and adequately. According to studies, about 8% of those injured in a whiplash accident participating in the study had not yet returned to full working duties a year after sustaining a whiplash injury. Don’t be part of that number. Seek treatment for whiplash to avoid the lasting health impacts of chronic conditions like these.
Loss of Mobility
Initially, whiplash can lead to an inability to move the full range of motion in your neck or head. Inflammation of the muscles can cause sensitivity or even an inability to turn the head and neck. Over time, with treatment and rest, this should improve, and full mobility should return. If left untreated, it can turn into headaches, migraines, or intense shoulder pain that radiates through the upper body. With specific exercises and therapies from physical therapists and adjustments from AICA chiropractors, the inflammation will decrease, and mobility will return.
Chronic Pain
Soreness from whiplash can be felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, or back. Whiplash can also lead to soft tissue damage such as strained muscles or torn ligaments. It takes time for the body to correct and heal itself, which is furthered along with the help of orthopedic specialists to improve whiplash symptoms quicker and more efficiently.
Without treatment, these injuries can turn into chronic pain that can make even the simplest tasks more difficult. Chronic pain can persist for weeks, months, or even years. Alleviate soreness and take advantage of the body’s natural ability to heal itself with the help of whiplash specialists.
Headaches
Pain from the neck due to whiplash will often lead to headaches after an accident. They can flare up days or even weeks after experiencing an injury to the neck. Neck tightness and soreness can radiate throughout the body, triggering headaches, or even migraine pain.
If headaches persist because of whiplash injuries, seeing a physical therapist, pain management specialist, or chiropractor can be beneficial towards finding a resolution. Neurological conditions can also occur from a car accident such as concussions. Neurologists can provide the very best in care for those suffering from whiplash or concussion symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The forceful motion of whiplash can force vertebrae out of place, resulting in herniated discs that can cause weakness, numbness or pain. Misalignments are carefully treated with regular chiropractic care.
But not treating spinal misalignments will lead to serious health implications, including causing the discs between the vertebrae in the spinal column to deteriorate and eventually break down. These discs act as shock absorbers and are key to how our backbends and flexes. Degenerative disc disease left untreated will only worsen, learning to intense pain with movement.
Spinal Misalignments
The head and neck whipping back and forth often causes the vertebra in the neck and back to move out of alignment. This affects posture as well as a range of motion.
Even more concerning is that spinal misalignments inhibit communication between the brain and the central nervous system, which can cause a wide variety of health issues within the body. Thankfully, AICA chiropractors pinpoint areas of concern and perform gentle adjustments to put the body back in proper alignment.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a dizzy sensation when the room can feel like it is spinning. Those with vertigo may also experience nausea or can lose their balance and fall poses more severe health hazards. A staggering 25 to 50% of all whiplash cases lead to vertigo.
Spinal misalignments can be a direct cause of vertigo symptoms related to whiplash as a result of a car accident. Whiplash is also known to cause cervicogenic dizziness, or a sense of disequilibrium because of injury to the neck.
The impact of whiplash can go far beyond just neck pain. If you have suffered from a car accident resulting in whiplash, seek treatment for injury and pain. With AICA Orthopedic specialists, you reduce the risk of further health conditions and increase your chance for faster, complete healing. Contact us today to get the treatment you deserve.
