Whiplash occurs when your head and neck are forced back and forward suddenly and without warning.
Whiplash injuries occur most often during rear-end collisions but can also result from contact sports, physical abuse, and even amusement park rides.
Whiplash moves the soft tissues surrounding the cervical spine beyond their typical range of motion.
Symptoms might not appear for a while, so you should be mindful of any physical changes for a few days following any crash or other injury event.
But where do you feel whiplash pain? Is it centralized, or can it radiate?
We'll explore that and when to see a whiplash chiropractor in the article below.
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Whiplash may also be referred to as a neck strain or a neck sprain.
So, the majority of people will experience pain in their neck.
However, it can also cause upper to mid-back pain and shoulder pain.
Common symptoms of whiplash may include:
Cognitive symptoms may include:
Patients with whiplash don't always notice their symptoms right away, and they may appear or get noticeably worse a day or two after the injury.
Severe injury cases can also include a mild traumatic brain injury or a concussion.
Fortunately, most people with whiplash feel better within a few weeks of the initial injury.
However, some people develop whiplash-associated disorders and have long-term pain for several months or years.
There's no way to predict how an individual will react to a whiplash injury or how they will recover.
The effects of whiplash depend on the severity of the injury and the well-being of the accident victim before the injury.
You may be more likely to have chronic pain if your initial symptoms were intense, started right away, and included:
The following risk factors have been linked to a worse outcome:
Most whiplash symptoms, especially minor, can be treated at home with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications or muscle relaxants.
However, painkillers should only be a temporary option.
It's essential to see a doctor after an auto crash or other injury event since symptoms can be delayed.
Go to the doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Before you can receive treatment for whiplash, your injury has to be diagnosed.
When you see a doctor, like a chiropractor, after an accident, they will start with a physical exam.
Your chiropractor will touch and move your head, neck, and arms.
They may ask you to move and perform simple tasks so they can evaluate:
After the physical exam, they will review your medical history.
You will likely get imaging tests, including x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
After a sustaining neck injury, it's vital to seek chiropractic care.
At Florida Spine and Injury, our chiropractors are trained and have experience working with neck injuries like whiplash so they can get their patients the medical attention they need.
Florida Spine and Injury provides personalized chiropractic treatment plans to each patient based on their accident and accident injuries.
If you have recently been involved in an auto accident, call Florida Spine and Injury today to schedule a Free Consultation with one of their accident injury chiropractors.