Whiplash After a Car Accident | Minneapolis Chiropractor

Suffering whiplash in a car accident can affect you. Unfortunately, most people take it lightly and do not seek treatment. Delaying treatment can aggravate the injury, and you may suffer from complications. Knowing what to do after an accident is crucial for treating whiplash.

Seek Medical Attention

It is important to rush for medical treatment immediately after you get into a car accident. Visit an emergency room if you cannot get medical attention at the site of the accident. Whiplash symptoms may not appear immediately. They may take hours or even weeks. The nature of the accident does not inform your decision to see your doctor. Seek medical care whether the accident is minor or severe.

Your doctor may need to do several tests because soft tissue injuries do not show on X-rays. Explaining to the doctor how you feel and how the accident happened will inform the test they will choose to check for whiplash.

Your doctor can diagnose the whiplash and create a plan to treat the symptoms. Common whiplash symptoms include:

Fatigue.
Ringing in the ears.
Dizziness.
Arm, neck, back, jaw, shoulder stiffness, and pain.
Headaches.
Stress.
Anger.
Depression.

Physical Therapy

Patients who have whiplash after accidents can benefit from physical therapy. Going for physical therapy reduces pain by strengthening your muscles. Occupational therapy can also help patients who need to get back to work after a period of recovery from a car accident.

Your doctor can also advise you to do a range of exercises that encourage motion. Doing so will exercise your muscles and reduce the tension and stiffness that hinder movement.

Surgical Treatment, Chiropractic Care, and Soft Tissue Rehabilitation

Whiplash can cause sleep disorders, nerve damage, joint dysfunction, and disc herniations. Your physician can recommend surgical treatment, chiropractic care, or soft tissue rehabilitation to prevent or treat these conditions.

Some grisly accidents may require whiplash patients to go for surgery. Spinal fractures and herniated discs need readjustment through surgery. Doing so can restore the movements of your joints.

Chiropractic care can help your spine and neck regain movements without pain. Your chiropractor can use various methods of treatment. Expect massage therapy, trigger point therapy, and manual spine manipulation, among other treatments.

Soft tissue rehabilitation helps treat internal organs, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and spinal discs. Car accidents can affect a victim’s soft tissue. The injury can lead to long-term damage if not treated early. Stretches, massage therapy, trigger point therapy, and other treatments can help muscles heal.

Home Care Treatment

Your doctor can advise you to treat your whiplash symptoms at home if they are mild. Make it your responsibility to take some rest, wear a cervical neck collar for a given period, and take prescribed over-the-counter medication.

Your doctor may also recommend icing up the injury to reduce inflammation, followed by heating it as a pain reliever. Following the home care tips given is essential in speeding up your recovery process.

Consult a Mental Health Expert

Most people focus on treating physical symptoms caused by whiplash. It is ideal to seek treatment if your doctor notices psychological symptoms. Your medical caregiver may recommend medication or counseling if you display signs of anxiety or any emotional and mental health conditions.

Being in a car accident can traumatize you psychologically. Thus, it is essential to ensure your mental and emotional state is okay. Doing so will help increase your holistic recovery.

For more on whiplash, visit Brookdale Health at our office in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. You can also call (763) 561-4045 to book an appointment today.