Why Does Your Neck Hurt After an Auto Accident?
Car accidents are extremely dangerous and can cause lasting damage. At the time of impact, your body is flooded with adrenaline, which can mask the level of pain from injuries and lead an individual to believe their injuries are minor. It’s important that individuals immediately go to the doctor following a car accident to have a medical professional evaluate their injuries and make sure they are not serious.
One common injury from car accidents is whiplash, which happens when your head whips forward as a result of a collision. While this injury does not result in death or paralysis, it can still be frightening and extremely painful. Luckily, whiplash can be treated in a variety of ways. This article will outline the symptoms of whiplash and outline chiropractic care for this injury.
Symptoms of Whiplash
The most common signs of a whiplash injury are pain and tenderness in the neck. These symptoms might not be immediately present due to adrenaline, and they might begin to appear a day or two after an accident. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of neck range of motion
- Neck pain that worsens with movement
- Headaches that begin at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, back, and upper arm pain or tenderness
- Tingling or dead sensation in your arms
- Memory or concentration issues
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Anger and lack of sleep
- Ringing in the ears and hazy vision
Whiplash Diagnosis
Whiplash is diagnosed in a few steps. You should consult your doctor about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. They will begin an examination by getting your medical background and more details about causes for the whiplash injury.
They will also do a physical exam that involves moving your head, back, shoulders, and arms. The range of motion test can help determine the severity of a whiplash injury and identify where pain is coming from and if it worsens with particular movement. They will focus on your neck, shoulders, and back for tenderness, as these are common areas that whiplash pain presents. They will also check your reflexes and strength and see whether any of your limbs feel tingly or numb.
When you go to the doctor, you should be as honest as possible about what hurts and how severe your injuries are. This will assist them in developing a treatment plan that will assist them in recovering.
Whiplash Treatments
Once your doctor gives you an official diagnosis of whiplash, the next steps are to make a treatment plan. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and restore mobility in your neck.
Pain management includes getting rest, putting a hot or cold pack on your neck to reduce pain, or taking over-the-counter medication. On a doctor’s recommendation, individuals can take muscle relaxants or injections to loosen up muscles in the neck and ease discomfort.
Restoring mobility in the neck can be accomplished through simple exercises, physical therapy, chiropractic care, or massages. Led by trained professionals, these activities guide individuals in strengthening neck muscles and moving the neck correctly, which can prevent further injury.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment is when chiropractors manipulate joints in the neck or spine. Whiplash can cause joints in the neck to become misaligned, and chiropractors can adjust the joints back in the correct place. This adjustment brings relief to the patient and can aid in increasing mobility.
Align Health Grapevine
If you are looking for a chiropractor for an auto accident injury, turn to the experts at Align Health Grapevine. Our doctors will assess your injury and work to return your neck and back to their proper positions. Contact us today to set up an appointment and relief from your injury!