Whiplash After Your Clearwater Car Accident?
Probably the most well-known car accident injury is whiplash. Sudden movement of the head and neck (such as from a rear-end collision) can cause serious neck muscle and ligament damage. Whiplash injuries can differ from person to person, depending on the accident and the health of the person involved in it. The movement causes the neck to make a movement in a manner similar to a whip, hence the name whiplash. This leads to sudden stretching of the tissues in the neck, leading to injury that varies depending on the speed and extent of the sudden movement.
SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of whiplash usually, but not always, develop within 24 hours of the injury and may include:
• Neck pain & stiffness;
• Dizziness;
• Headaches;
• Fatigue;
• Ringing in the ears;
• Irritability;
• Loss of range of motion in the neck;
In most cases, whiplash improves within weeks. However, there are cases in which whiplash lasts for months. In some cases, whiplash symptoms may go on for years and become chronic. It is difficult to predict how each person with whiplash may recover. You may be more likely to have chronic pain if your symptoms were intense, started rapidly and included:
• Severe neck pain;
• Headaches;
• Pain that spread to the arms;
TREATMENT
If your symptoms worsen, check in with your family doctor. If necessary, you will be referred to a chiropractor or spine specialist. Your doctor will perform a physical and neurological examination and obtain a neck x-ray. After your doctor makes the diagnosis, treatment is coordinated to get you on the road to recovery. Treatment may include:
• Pain medication;
• Anti-inflammatory drugs;
• Muscle relaxants;
• A cervical collar;
• Massage & physical therapy;
The doctor also may recommend some things that you can do at home including:
• Ice: Apply and icepack for 15 minutes as often as once every hour;
• Heat: Apply heat for 15 minutes every 2 or 3 hours;
• Over the counter anti-inflammatory medication;
• Move your neck gently to help prevent further stiffness;
Keep in mind that most people with whiplash improve quickly within a matter of weeks. If you have concerns, it is imperative you talk to your doctor.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, call Personal Injury Attorney Chelsie M. Lamie at 727-501-3464 for a free consultation. You can also learn more about Attorney Lamie by visiting www.chelsielamie.com.