Whiplash from a car accident is one of the most common injuries related to a car accident, especially rear-end collisions. A whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully jerked backward and then forward, putting strain on the neck muscles and ligaments that support the spine.
Whiplash Symptoms
Symptoms of a whiplash injury may include:
- Neck pain or neck stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Pain and/or numbness in your arm or hand
- Low back pain
- Dizziness
- Ringing in your ears
- Blurry vision
- Concentration or memory problems
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Tiredness
Whiplash can injure bones in the spine, and damage nerves and tissues in the neck. The severity of whiplash can be diagnosed by a physical exam, possibly including an x-ray, CT scan, and/or MRI.
Whiplash Treatment
Treatment options for whiplash from a car accident may be as simple as doing some home exercises and taking anti-inflammatory medications. If the symptoms persist or are severe, further intervention such as pain management procedures and/or physical therapy may be needed. In the most extreme cases, surgical intervention may be required.
Whiplash Recovery
The timeline for recovery from whiplash can vary widely. Most people who experience whiplash feel better within a few weeks following a treatment plan of medication and exercise. However, some people develop chronic neck pain and other long-lasting complications from whiplash. If you’re older, had whiplash before, or had existing neck or back pain before the whiplash, your recovery may be more difficult. Discussing your symptoms with a healthcare provider is the best source of information on what you can expect for your individual case.
Whiplash From a Car Accident
If you’ve experienced whiplash from a car accident, you don’t need to suffer alone. And you don’t have to navigate the aftermath of a car accident alone either. At Crash Pain & Injury Clinic in West Jordan, Utah, we are your healthcare advocates after a car accident injury. If you need a doctor specialized in car accident recovery care, give us a call, or fill out the form below, to schedule an appointment.