If you are a resident of Marietta, Georgia, there is a possibility that you have been a part of an automobile accident. It can be once in a blue moon chance that you come out entirely unscathed from such an incident. However, an accident may leave you with underlying issues that get worse with time. Therefore, it is crucial to get treatment after an unforeseen car accident, regardless of your condition and severity. People are seeking treatment for a variety of causes, both traumatic and non-traumatic. Some people, however, misdiagnose an injury like whiplash and overlook the warning indications.
Whiplash is one of the most prevalent injuries that come from auto accidents. It may take some time to recover, but with constant care, you can treat this ailment. Even though it is a minor injury, it can become worse if not treated. However, to receive the proper treatment, patients must first understand what whiplash is.
What is Whiplash?
The predominant cause for whiplash is a collision in which the individual is in a stationary vehicle. This car gets involved in a rear-end collision with another automobile. The seat forces the head and neck into a hyperextended position, propelling the person’s torso forward and causing the head and neck to sink back. Not only that, but it can also be due to physical assault, sports accidents, or amusement park rides.
The motion is similar to the tip of a whip. Whiplash causes damage to the soft tissues of the spine, including tendons, discs, and ligaments. Depending on the severity of your whiplash, it can take you days, months, or even years to recover. Whiplash is a combination of two injuries: the first is a jerking neck movement, and the second is a concussion. It results in hyperextension, which is an additional movement that opens a joint. The other action is hyperflexion, which is the reversal of the motion that happens shortly after.
What Are The Symptoms of Whiplash?
In the scenario where you do end up with whiplash, you have to let your chiropractor recognize your symptoms. Within 24 hours after the whiplash-inducing event, the symptoms usually appear. However, in certain circumstances, they may occur after a few days. Here are some of the signs that can assist you in diagnosing the injury and receiving chiropractic therapy to help you heal. If you see any of the symptoms listed below, call your doctor straight away.
- Feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
- Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion.
- Excessively exhausted.
- Tenderness and pain in the upper back, arms, and shoulders.
- Your arms may have a prickling or stinging sensation.
- Migraines with shooting pain from the base of the skull.
Aside from that, there are also less prevalent signs and symptoms, such as:
- Episodes of depression.
- Insomnia.
- A disturbed sleep pattern.
- Memory issues.
- Ear ringing.
- Concentration problems.
- Blurry vision.
What Happens To Your Body During Whiplash?
Chiropractors at the Marietta car accident clinicbelieve that whiplash is a dangerous disorder that needs rapid Chiropractic strategies to reduce long-term damage and persistent discomfort. As previously mentioned, the accident usually happens from behind, resulting in a whiplash injury that goes through five stages:
- When a car gets hit from behind, the passenger seat pushes against the back of the vehicle. As a result, the cervical spine is forced against the skull, exerting tension on the spine.
- The body in contact with the seat continues to go forward, but the head, which has not yet come into contact with the headrest, does not. As a result, the cervical spine’s normal C-shape momentarily will become an aberrant S-shape. In addition, uneven compression and shearing stresses can harm facet joints, intervertebral discs, and other neck components.
- The person’s back hits the accelerating seat. Soft tissues at the front neck are likely to be injured as the neck bends backward quickly.
- The head accelerates forward after colliding with the headrest of the car.
- As the head jerks forward, the seatbelt holds the torso in place, perhaps preventing a far worse injury, and the neck bends quickly. As a result, the delicate tissues in the back of the neck become more vulnerable.
What Can You Do To Prevent Whiplash?
Whiplash is frequently avoidable. That seems improbable, given that many incidents of whiplash result from rear-end collisions. These types of accidents can be rather challenging to avoid. When you get in the car, you can protect yourself and your neck and, in return, avoid whiplash. You have to wear your seat belt in the right way every time you get in a car. You should also read your car’s owner’s manual and follow personal safety guidelines. Other than that, you have to make sure your headrest is in a position that permits your neck to stay in a managed and favorable situation.
How Can You Treat Whiplash?
Now we’ll get to the treatment, which is our central objective. Whiplash, on the other hand, should recover on its own over time. If you wish to speed up this process, there are several options. Whiplash treatment focuses on reducing pain and increasing the range of motion so that you can resume your daily activities. The chiropractors at the nearest car accident clinic in Marietta can determine your medical options by the degree of your whiplash injury.
Some individuals may only have to go for over-the-counter counter anti-inflammatory medication and care at home. Others might prefer prescription drugs, enhanced pain treatment, or physical therapy. You can get whiplash injury treatment in Marietta from the best chiropractors and be treated quickly and easily with the state-of-the-art medical equipment available.
An extreme whiplash injury, including a damaged spinal disc, may demand surgery. The treatment’s ultimate goal is to alleviate pain, expand the range of movement throughout the neck, and reduce issues like prolonged stiffness. After going through whiplash, your physician will advise you that resting the neck and upper back for a lengthy length of time might limit the range of motion. Aside from that, immobilizing the neck with a foam collar may be effective. However, you should move your neck lightly to help it recuperate. In the days following a whiplash injury, applying ice to the neck might help decrease discomfort and swelling. Small blood vessels will be temporarily closed by ice or cold packs, preventing swelling from worsening during this period. After that, you should alternate between using ice and heat for a few days after the injury. Physiotherapy and chiropractic activities can assist improve range of motion and muscular strength after a rest period. Before commencing any workout program, however, one should consult with a doctor.
Alternative therapies include massage and chiropractic treatments that include spine manipulation and decompression. They concentrate on the mind-body connection and how it might assist individuals in feeling better. In addition to the previously mentioned treatments, everything a person may do to live a better lifestyle is usually beneficial for neck discomfort. A healthy diet, getting adequate rest, preferably with an ergonomic pillow, proper posture, not smoking, and being active without aggravating neck pain are some ideas to help you out.
Final Words
A whiplash injury can genuinely leave your body in a dire situation. Getting treatment as soon as possible is the most sensible option. To avoid such injuries, you must stay away from high-risk scenarios. As previously stated, get medical assistance as soon as possible. This precaution could help you avoid more long-term issues that could cause you problems later in life.
