One of the most prevalent types of neck injuries nowadays is whiplash, which is frequently related to auto accidents or other types of traffic incidents. While most people associate whiplash injuries with severe collisions, they can also result from minor collisions like fender benders.
If you’ve been in an automobile accident of any kind, you might be wondering if you have whiplash. More significantly, you could be unsure about what to do.
That said, understanding not only what a whiplash injury is but also some of its symptoms can help you gain more understanding so you can seek the assistance of the right healthcare provider.
First of All, What Is a Whiplash Injury?
A whiplash injury is a strain of the neck that can happen when the head suddenly goes backward and then forward, much like when a whip is cracked. Whiplash injuries can range in severity from minor to severe and can manifest right away or over the course of several days. While they occur most frequently in auto accidents, sports injuries, particularly football, also occur relatively regularly.
The Cervical Acceleration Deceleration (CAD) condition is another name for whiplash.
What Are the Main Symptoms of Whiplash Injury?
The signs of whiplash are typically relatively simple to recognize. Whiplash injuries can make it difficult for some people to go about their daily lives. Others may only experience a constant aching pain when they suffer from whiplash.
In either case, delaying the diagnosis and treatment of a whiplash injury can make it worse. Here are a few signs to watch out for.
- Neck stiffness and pain. It’s possible for the muscles to feel tense or knotted.
- Headaches, especially those radiating from the base of the skull to the forehead.
- Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion.
- Discomfort or pain when you turn your head back and forth or side to side.
- Discomfort or stiffness when turning your head to look behind you.
- Discomfort in the neck.
The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that a neck strain like this can occasionally cause instant pain. More frequently than not, the discomfort following a whiplash injury might begin several hours or even days later. As a result, if you’ve been in a car accident, be sure to keep an eye out for these symptoms for a few days after the collision.
Who Should I Ask For Help?
Anytime you have the abovementioned symptoms after being involved in an accident of any kind, including an automobile accident, you should get in touch with a chiropractor. To ensure that your chiropractor can accurately assess your illness, confirm that they perform x-rays.
Chiropractic specialists handle whiplash injuries as well as the majority of spinal problems, from headaches to low back pain and all in between. They can help treat your injury rather than just conceal it with painkillers.
To ensure that your chiropractor can accurately assess your illness, they will diagnose you after a set of x-rays are taken.
Conclusion
Determining whether or not you have a whiplash injury is crucial if you have been in a car accident. When the head is abruptly and violently wrenched forward or backward, a neck injury or known as whiplash may result.
Whiplash signs and symptoms include headaches, neck discomfort and stiffness, lightheadedness, and exhaustion. After a car accident, it’s critical to consult a doctor at the first sign of trouble.
If you are looking for a well-trusted auto accident chiropractor in Royal Palm Beach, look no further than our practitioners here at Cobblestone Spine and Joint Institute. We offer a wide range of approaches and services that are sure to treat your pain in no time. Call us today to book your first chiropractic session with us.
