According to the Mayo Clinic, “Whiplash is commonly caused by rear-end car accidents. But whiplash can also result from sports accidents, physical abuse, and other types of traumas, such as a fall.” Approximately 1 million Americans suffer whiplash injuries each year.
Whiplash comes from sudden and violent jerking of the head, neck, or back and can range significantly in severity. The force of the impact can cause the ligaments and tendons in your neck to stretch or tear. The severity of the injury depends on how fast your head moves and the direction it moves.
If you have been involved in a car accident, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible to get proper Naples whiplash treatment. A doctor will typically diagnose whiplash based on your symptoms and a physical examination. In most cases, rest and time will allow your neck to heal. If your pain doesn’t go away or worsens over time, you may need more advanced treatment options.
Our physicians, physical therapists, and chiropractors at Naples Community Injury Center can help you heal from whiplash.
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Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash is not just something that happens when you get in a car accident. Whiplash actually describes the symptoms of a neck injury, and those symptoms can appear in many different ways. If you have been in an accident and you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible:
- Pain that gets worse as you move around or put pressure on your neck (like leaning over to tie your shoes)
- Stiffness in your neck and shoulders that lasts longer than 48 hours after an accident
- Numbness in your hands, arms, or legs (especially if it’s severe)
- Pain in your neck, shoulders, arms, and/or back
- Headaches, dizziness, or blurry vision
Diagnosis of Whiplash
Your doctor will examine your neck and upper back for tenderness and other injuries. You may also have CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests. These tests allow your doctor to see how much damage has been done inside your body.
Your doctor may also recommend an X-ray, this test can show whether there is any damage/breakage to the discs between your vertebrae that could cause long-term problems with mobility and function.
Also, your doctor will ask you questions about your injury, including when it occurred. They may ask about any previous injuries that may have made it more likely for you to experience whiplash symptoms, such as past neck sprains or broken bones in the area around your spine or neck.
Naples Whiplash Treatment
We know you are hurting. We also know that the pain will only worsen if you don’t get treatment. That’s why we offer the following range of treatments for whiplash in order for you to move on with your life:
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is an effective way to treat whiplash-related neck pain. It can also help improve the range of motion in the neck and shoulders and decrease nerve irritation due to inflammation around the spinal cord.
Pain Management
If you suffer from chronic back pain or other health problems related to whiplash injuries, our doctors can prescribe tailored medication for your needs. This includes medications such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatories, and corticosteroids which will reduce swelling around damaged areas within your body so you heal faster.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps patients regain strength, balance, and flexibility after receiving treatment for their injury. This treatment may also include massage therapy or other forms of manual therapy that provide relief from muscle spasms caused by whiplash injuries.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation involves learning new skills that help patients usually function again after receiving treatment for their injuries.
Neurology
Our neurologists can diagnose neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, or Alzheimer’s Disease.
But our approach doesn’t stop there. Our team will work with you on developing a plan for long-term care and routines designed to improve strength and mobility in affected areas.
Prevention of Whiplash
Considering that motor vehicle accidents are the most common causes of whiplash, it is important to follow safe driving practices. Some simple steps can help you to avoid whiplash injuries:
- Wear a seatbelt whenever you drive or ride in a car or other vehicle.
- When riding in a car, keep your head back and relaxed instead of leaning forward to get a better view.
- Avoid driving while distracted.
If you do experience an accident where your head or body moves suddenly while driving, try not to move at all immediately after the impact occurs (especially if the airbags deploy). Hold onto something nearby or lean back against seat cushioning until emergency workers arrive to prevent further damage to your neck or spine injuries.
What Happens Next?
If you’ve recently experienced whiplash, you may be wondering what’s next. The good news is that your body is already working to repair itself. However, it takes time – usually a few weeks – for your neck to heal completely.
The first thing to do is to seek medical attention. Your doctor will assess your injuries and determine whether or not you require medical treatment. If they do, the doctor can help you decide on the treatment option that is best suited for your needs.
While receiving treatment for your injuries, here are some more things to keep in mind:
- Avoid activities that put strain on your neck or shoulders. This includes lifting heavy objects, reaching above shoulder level, and bending over while standing. If you need help with these tasks, ask a friend or family member for assistance.
- Get plenty of rest so that your body can rest up and facilitate healing.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes; both can interfere with healing and increase pain levels.
- Lastly, talk with an attorney: If you sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you might want to talk with an attorney about filing a personal injury claim against the liable parties.
Contact Naples Community Injury Center Today
When you’re dealing with whiplash, the last thing you want to do is wait. It’s essential to get treatment for your injury as soon as possible because treating whiplash immediately can help reduce pain and disability. Naples Community Injury Center is committed to offering the right treatment plan to help you recover as quickly as possible so that you can move on with your life.
Call us today or book an appointment to schedule your Naples whiplash treatment!
