Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is also known as neck strain or neck sprain. It is an injury to your neck. In most cases, it is associated with car accidents, but that is not the only cause. Any blow that causes your neck to bend backward and forward can result in a neck strain.

 

What Causes Whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when your muscles in the neck get a strain due to a rapid or sudden backward and forward movement. Cycling accidents, horseback riding accidents, and car accidents are among the most common causes of whiplash. Other things that can cause your neck to sprain include physical abuse, contact sports such as boxing, football, and karate, and blows to the head due to a sudden fall or accident.

 

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash?

You may experience whiplash or pain in the neck immediately after an injury. However, in some cases, it may take several days or hours for any signs to appear. Some of the common symptoms include:
 

• Dizziness
• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Fatigue
• Shoulder pain
• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Jaw pain
• Arm pain
• Back pain
• Tingling sensation in the arms
• Ringing or a buzzing sound in the ears
• Memory problems
• Irritability
• Limited range of motion

In some cases, you may suffer or get severe whiplash symptoms depending on the impact of the blow or fall. Some of the severe signs and symptoms include stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, anger, frustration, post-traumatic stress, and drug dependency. If you notice any of these signs, it is best that you contact your doctor immediately.

 

How to Diagnose Whiplash

Your doctor may start by performing a physical exam. If your doctor suspects any spinal injuries, they may request an X-ray to rule out if you have any fractured bones or other conditions, such as arthritis.
 

Also, they may request a computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for soft tissue injuries. However, in most cases, the damages caused may be too small to be detected by the tests. Therefore, signs and symptoms are the only sure way of telling if you have whiplash.

 

Whiplash Treatment

Your doctor may recommend various treatments depending on various factors. Some of the factors include age, the severity of the injury, overall health, tolerance for specific therapies and drugs, and preference.
 

Some of the treatment options include:
 

• Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic Treatment
• Massage Therapy
• Ice pack application in the first few hours after injury
• Pain medications
• Exercise
• Osteopathic manipulation to treat neck, back, and sports injuries
• Maintaining a good posture
• Injections
• Muscle relaxation
• Using a neck or brace collar
• Applying moist heat to your neck after you stop swelling

Whiplash can be treated only if you visit your doctor immediately after the accident or when you start noticing the signs. To get treatment and advice on whiplash, consider visiting Back and Neck Pain Centers Chiropractic in Seattle, Washington.

 

This is our main office where we have well-trained and experienced doctors to help you with any back and neck pain. You can also visit our branches in Bellevue and Tukwila, Washington. Feel free to contact us at (206) 233-0818, (206) 772-0088, (425) 649-9335, or (425) 243-1200 to schedule an appointment.