Whiplash Relief

If you have recently been in a rear impact auto accident, you may need whiplash relief.  Whiplash is the most common injury caused by this type of accident because of the sudden movement and change in position of the neck.  Back or neck pain is the primary symptom, but it may not develop until well after the accident.  This can cause problems with diagnosis, along with making it difficult to recover injury settlements from the other party's insurance company.

The impact of being rear-ended in a car causes the structures within the neck to move and changes the normal curve of the upper back and neck.  This sudden extension and flexion of the joints causes injury.  It may also lead to stretching and tearing of muscles and ligaments in the upper back.  The neck is the most vulnerable area of the body to a whiplash injury because it is designed to move easily in every direction.  Severe whiplash can also include injury to the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles and nerve of the neck or upper back.

Fortunately, with time, the vast majority of people who have had a whiplash injury fully recover.  In most moderate cases patients are encouraged to remain as active as they can without pain.  A soft cervical collar or brace may be used to temporarily immobilize the neck during the healing process, but this is generally only used if the pain is uncontrollable.  The brace should usually be used for short periods of time only.  Ice or heat can be used to control pain, muscle spasm, and inflammation.  Medications to reduce pain, swelling, and muscle spasms are often prescribed and can be very helpful.

Whiplash relief may also be obtained by participating in a short course of spinal manipulation or mobilization.  This will restore the normal position of the muscles and joints so that the patient can perform their physical therapy without pain.  The physical therapy will then increase circulation, restore range of motion, and promote healing.  Ultrasound and electrical stimulation should only be used in the beginning phase of treatment to control pain, not as a long-term solution.

For more serious injuries, additional treatment may be required for complete whiplash relief.  If neck pain persists for more than six weeks, this could be a sign of a disc or back injury.  A doctor or chiropractor should be consulted immediately for a proper diagnosis.  These injuries can usually be treated with injections or other non-surgical procedures.