Signs You May Have Whiplash After A Car Accident

If you’re involved in a car accident, then you might be at risk of whiplash. In fact, almost 80% of people suffer some type of whiplash from an auto accident. Whiplash can occur at speeds as low as 2.5 mph.

Anthony Inglese DC, a trauma qualified Doctor of Chiropractic with special training in neurology, says “whiplash is a type of neck injury that can occur when your head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward or vice versa. It can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, and other symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. But even more than that, it can cause life long pain from spinal ligament damage if not properly treated.”

If you think you might have whiplash, then it’s important to get it resolved as quickly as possible because it can lead to more severe conditions and a lot of discomfort. Therefore, you need to know the signs, which is precisely what we’re looking into today!  Here are the signs to look out for!

The Common Symptoms

The most common symptom of whiplash is neck pain. It can be either a dull ache or a sharp, shooting pain. You might also feel pain in your shoulders, upper back, or arms. Other symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Sleeping problems
• Ringing in the ears
• Jaw pain

These symptoms can start immediately after the accident, or they may not appear until a few days later. If you’re experiencing any of them, then it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible so that they can diagnose and treat your condition.

What to Do if You Think You Have Whiplash

If you think you might have whiplash, then the first thing you should do is see a doctor who specializes in accident injury. They will be able to diagnose your condition and recommend the best course of treatment. This might involve pain medication, physiotherapy, or massage therapy. In some cases, a spine evaluation will be ordered and surgery might be necessary.

Dr. Inglese says the worst-case scenario is that if you don’t get treatment for your whiplash, then it can lead to chronic pain, which is a condition that can last for months or even years. He quoted a recent publication of SmartDoctor that followed patients and showed that:

• 46% of auto injury patients were chronic at their 1-year checkup
• 83% of those injury patients were still chronic at their 2-year
• 45% of those were still chronic at 5 years post accident

Therefore, getting it sorted out as soon as possible is important.  Seeking the proper type of care for early treatment is your best defense against long term pain and suffering from spinal ligament damage. Early intervention has been proven to help resolve damage faster. Left untreated, the damaged tissue can experience further weakness from daily wear and tear.

Regardless of whether you think you have whiplash or not, it’s always a good idea to get checked out after an accident. This is because there might be other injuries you’re unaware of, and getting treatment quickly can help prevent them from worsening.

And finally, it’s also important to take things easy and rest as much as possible for at least a week after a car accident. This will help your body to heal and recover from the injury. Avoiding strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and repetitive movements will also help to prevent further pain and damage.

Again, whiplash is one of those conditions that tend not to come on immediately after an accident but usually days or weeks afterward, seemingly out of the blue. The best thing you can do is get yourself checked out as soon as possible and work with a doctor who understands the dynamics of how auto injuries change and heal over time.

Conclusion

When it comes to auto accidents, you should not wait out the pain – that can sometimes make things worse. Don’t trust your care to just any clinic. At all 5 of The Brooks Clinic locations we focus on getting you thoroughly checked and follow that with a comprehensive treatment plan. We’re a one-stop shop for all related treatments and scans. Visit one of our locations near you or give us a call at (405) 943-0303 to schedule an appointment.