Out of all the different injuries that can appear after a car accident, whiplash is something that is often underestimated. This is a condition that few people know much about and the big problem is that it can have so many negative effects on an individual’s health. Statistics show that in USA there were $10.2 million vehicle accidents only in 2008. The number is constantly growing. That is why you want to always know as much as possible about possible injuries when you drive. Being prepared for a Wakefield car accident is always better than reacting in the moment.
Whiplash Causes
Various causes can be mentioned but car accidents are by far the most common. We also see whiplash in bicycle crashes, sports injuries and other possible accidents. When referring to the car accidents as an example, the impact basically causes the body to quickly go to a side but since wearing a seatbelt is mandatory, the body ends up forcibly stopped. That will cause the spine and the neck’s soft tissues unstable. Whiplash injury appears and treatment is mandatory.
Whiplash Symptoms
Most whiplash injuries will involve soft tissue injuries in the victim’s spine. Broken neck bones are very rare. Symptoms of the tissue injuries do range from obscure ones to some that are pretty obvious. The really obvious ones are shoulder pain, neck pain, headaches, vertigo, jaw pain, face pain and upper body stiffness. Some that are not so obvious include nausea, blurred vision, difficulty when swallowing and ear ringing. Make sure that you go to the doctor whenever a combination of these symptoms appears, especially following a car accident.
Whiplash Treatment And Diagnosing
In most cases the treatment of a whiplash injury will be done by a chiropractor. Questions are going to first be asked in order to see what neck injury is present. Questions can be asked about what the patient feels, the details of the accident, injury details and what symptoms are felt. In many cases tests will be needed like an MRI, a CT scan, myelograms and X-Rays.
Whiplash treatment period varies between weeks and months based on severity. Physical therapists, physicians and chiropractors will utilize different techniques in order to relieve the symptoms and then improve the overall health of the spine. Techniques can include one or many of the following:
- Cold therapy
- Heat therapy
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Strength training
- Body mechanics training
- Massage
- Pain relievers
Whiplash treatment should be started as soon as possible in the event that an individual believes that this condition is present. Unfortunately, in the case of sports injuries and bicycle answers the individual affected does not really suspect the fact that a problem exists. It is only the active ones that realize that this is the case. Generally speaking, the diagnosis should always be done by a doctor though. Whenever symptoms appear, going for a check-up is vital.
Remember that whiplash injuries can be treated when going through the process properly. Just make sure that you choose a doctor/physician with experience.
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Hello laurat,
Welcome to the EmpowHER. Thank you for sharing information about the incident, causes and treatment of whiplash.
Regards,
October 10, 2016 - 9:03amMaryann
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