Treating Whiplash After a Car Accident

If you have been involved in a car accident, you might have experienced whiplash. Whiplash is the most prevalent accident-related injury. It has several symptoms, including pain in the neck and shoulders, headaches, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. 

The jarring motion that occurs after the crash causes damage to the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It is important to begin treatment soon after an accident to prevent permanent damage. 

What Causes Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when the body is “whipped” back and forth with great force, stretching the neck beyond its limit. The movement causes tiny tears in the ligaments surrounding the neck. Most accident victims do not experience the extent of the whiplash soon after the accident. 

In many cases, the shock of the accident numbs the injuries until the person has calmed down. Most people experience pain the next morning. The symptoms are often felt when the tiny tears in the ligaments start to swell. 

Treating Whiplash

It is a good idea to visit the emergency room soon after an accident. In many cases, pain does not manifest until hours or days after the accident. Some injuries only become evident long after the crash. 

Whiplash symptoms usually peak around 72 hours after sustaining the injury. You should visit a chiropractor even if the accident was a simple fender-bender. Beginning treatment the moment you notice any pain or discomfort will help ensure that the injury heals quickly. 

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash injuries can be the result of accidents that occur from any direction. This means that whether the collision was frontal, rear-end, or side, it can cause whiplash. It only takes a change of two miles per hour to cause neck injuries. 

The symptoms of whiplash often vary depending on the extent of the injury and the physical condition of the patient. The main symptoms are neck tension and pain, blurry vision, headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Other symptoms are lower back and arm pain. 

Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

People involved in car accidents should visit a chiropractor fast. The chiropractor will check for whiplash injury. Injuries to the soft tissue usually take time before they heal completely. 

Studies have found that most people who went to the emergency room after an accident continued to experience pain long after. In many cases, they experienced pain one month to six weeks following the accident. Some continue to experience symptoms even six months later.

Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractors have relevant experience in treating neck injuries, making them well able to treat whiplash. They offer effective therapy that does not involve the use of drugs or surgery. The non-invasive treatments involve different approaches such as spinal adjustments, massage, and joint manipulation. The chiropractor may also use other methods such as heat therapy and electrical stimulation. Patients can avoid surgery for whiplash injury.  

If not treated promptly, a whiplash injury can lead to complications for years. When the soft tissue damage begins to heal, it can lead to the formation of scar tissue. If the spinal alignment and mobility are not restored when the scarring occurs, it can affect normal functioning. To avoid long-term complications, you should visit a chiropractor after a car accident. 

For more on treating whiplash, visit Knecht Chiropractic Center at our office in Sanford, North Carolina. You can also call (919) 629-0400 today to schedule an appointment.