After a car accident, it is common to feel a variety of aches and pains over the course of days or even weeks following the incident. Even when no major injury is identified at the scene, general soreness or discomfort may be common, making it hard to identify more serious conditions like whiplash.
How do you know when it’s time to visit a car accident doctor in Marietta instead of wishing the pain away? There are some common signs of whiplash injury that you can look for if you understand the injury and its impact on the body.
What Is Whiplash?
One of the most common injuries sustained during an accident is whiplash, which happens when your car is hit, causing your body to jerk forward and backward in an unrestrained and unnatural way.
When this happens, the soft tissue in the neck area is often strained beyond its normal elasticity, causing tears or other injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in this area. This phenomenon is known as hyperextension, where the cervical spine forms an unusual S-shape, impacting the soft tissue in that area.
When Do You Feel Whiplash?
While the initial injury occurs at the moment of impact, you may not realize that symptoms of whiplash may not be apparent for hours or even days after the crash. This is not because the injury isn’t there, but your body may be shielding you from the pain. Adrenaline begins to course through our body as soon as a scary or stressful situation occurs, which can hide pain until it subsides.
As you go through the initial shock of the accident and deal with the aftermath, your body may be in a state of shock for a period before you are finally able to identify symptoms. If something feels unusual but you aren’t able to fully assess your injuries yet, you may visit a car accident doctor before symptoms even occur in full force.
What Does It Feel Like to Have Whiplash?
Many car accident victims say that their most common symptoms are neck pain and stiffness as a result of the muscles and tendons being stretched or torn when hyperextended. For most people, this stiffness makes certain motions excruciating or impossible, while others will be able to move but experience pain when doing so. It is important not to purposefully move your head or arms in a way that worsens this pain, as it is likely to worsen the site of the injury.
So, how does whiplash feel? As your body begins to register the injury, you may also notice swelling and inflammation in the area. Often, a swollen area is tender to the touch or feels knotted. Pressing may exacerbate the issue, so try to avoid pressure where you see swelling.
Another common symptom is headaches as a result of the brain being jolted during the crash. What does a whiplash headache feel like? While this is often another manifestation of whiplash, car accidents put you at higher risk for traumatic brain injuries like concussions, and if headaches are paired with blurred vision, loss of concentration or memory, or trouble staying conscious, you should seek immediate medical attention. You may also mention dizziness and ringing in your ears as risk factors for further brain injuries.
In more serious cases of whiplash, the nerves in the spine and neck can be affected and cause other symptoms. A tingling feeling that begins in the neck and moves down through the arms and fingers is common, as well as the “pins and needles” feeling in your neck and shoulders. If you are experiencing this, it is likely a nerve was damaged or pinched and will need special attention.
How Car Accident Doctors Diagnose Whiplash
If you’ve recently been in a car accident and are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms of whiplash, it’s important to seek medical care, even if the discomfort seems mild at first.
Whiplash is often misunderstood or underestimated, especially since the pain can be delayed by several hours or even days. Here’s what your car accident doctor will do to help determine if you have whiplash. The sooner you can begin whiplash treatment and avoid long-term complications.
Review Symptoms
Diagnosing whiplash begins with a thorough discussion about your accident and any symptoms you may be experiencing. Your doctor will ask about the specifics of the car accident, like how fast you were going, where the impact occurred, whether you were wearing a seatbelt, and what immediate symptoms you noticed. This information will help your car accident doctor determine the type and severity of a whiplash injury.
Physical Exam
Following this conversation, your car accident doctor will perform a physical examination to assess your range of motion, reflexes, and strength and identify any areas of tenderness. Your doctor may carefully move your head, neck, and arms to identify any stiffness, weakness, or pain that could be a sign of a soft tissue injury. They may also ask you to rate your pain level while performing certain movements and make note of any numbness or tingling sensations, especially if they suspect any potential nerve compression or damage.
Diagnostic Imaging
In many cases, your car accident doctor may utilize diagnostic imaging tests to rule out more serious injuries with similar symptoms. While soft tissue damage like muscle strain or ligament sprain may not show up clearly on standard X-rays, these images are still important for checking whether there are any fractures or dislocations in the neck and spine.
If your symptoms are more severe or persistent, your car accident doctor may recommend an MRI or CT scan to get a clearer look at the soft tissues of the neck, including spinal discs, muscles, and ligaments.
An MRI can be particularly useful for identifying herniated discs, nerve impingement, or inflammation that could be contributing to your symptoms. If your whiplash involves neurological symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms, your car accident doctor may perform a neurological exam or refer you to a specialist to ensure no damage has occurred to the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Treatment Options for Whiplash
Treatment for whiplash will depend on the severity of your injury, the types of symptoms you’re experiencing, and how long it’s been since the car accident occurred. For many people, mild to moderate whiplash may be managed effectively at home with a combination of rest and gentle physical activity. However, it’s important to get a tailored treatment plan from a car accident doctor to support proper healing.
Whiplash Treatment After the Accident
In the first few days following the injury, it’s important to get plenty of rest to allow the body to begin healing itself. During this acute phase, applying cold packs to the neck for 15 to 20 minutes at a time can help reduce inflammation and provide a temporary numbing sensation for pain. After the initial swelling has gone down, typically after 48 to 72 hours, you can use warm compresses or heating pads to loosen tight muscles and improve blood flow to the area.
Although it may feel instinctive to limit movement and immobilize the neck with a brace or collar, your car accident doctor may advise against the prolonged use of cervical collars. While they may provide temporary support and relief, extended immobilization can lead to your muscles becoming weak and stiff. Instead, incorporating gentle range-of-motion exercises early in the recovery process can help you maintain flexibility and help prevent the development of chronic pain or reduced mobility.
Physical Therapy for Whiplash
Physical therapy offers an effective and non-invasive way to heal from a whiplash injury. A car accident physical therapist can guide you through exercises that strengthen neck muscles, improve posture, and restore full movement. These PT sessions may also include manual therapy, stretching, and targeted resistance training to help stabilize your spine and prevent future injury. Depending on the severity of your whiplash injury, your physio plan may include other treatment techniques like therapeutic massage, electrical stimulation, or traction.
Managing Whiplash Pain
Pain management is another key aspect of treatment and recovery from whiplash. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, are often effective for managing mild to moderate pain. For more severe cases, your car accident doctor might prescribe muscle relaxants or short-term prescription pain relievers. In situations where nerves are involved and chronic pain develops, additional options like nerve blocks or corticosteroid injections may be recommended.
Chiropractic Care for Whiplash
If you’re interested in a drug-free and non-invasive approach to whiplash treatment, chiropractic care can be another helpful treatment option. Car accident chiropractors specialize in spinal alignment and can perform adjustments to improve your mobility and reduce pressure on affected nerves. Some car accident victims also benefit from massage therapy, acupuncture, and other techniques to help relieve muscle tension and promote healing.
How Long Does Whiplash Take to Heal?
It’s important to remember that everyone heals at a different pace. Many people with whiplash recover within a few weeks to a few months, especially when treatment begins early and is tailored to your specific needs. However, it is possible to continue to experience lingering symptoms for several months or longer, a condition sometimes referred to as chronic whiplash or whiplash-associated disorder.
In these cases, a multidisciplinary approach that includes pain management, physical therapy, and additional support may be necessary for full recovery. Chronic pain can lead to feelings of frustration, depression, or sleep disturbances, all of which can impact healing. If you’re struggling emotionally as well as physically, don’t hesitate to talk to car accident doctor about your experience.
Visit Car Accident Doctors Near You for Whiplash Treatment
At AICA Marietta, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating whiplash. Our multidisciplinary team includes car accident doctors, chiropractors, orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and neurologists, each working together to make sure that you receive the highest level of care. Whether you’re dealing with recent symptoms or chronic pain from an old injury, we’re here to help guide you through recovery every step of the way.
If you’ve been in an accident and suspect you may have whiplash, don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Schedule a consultation today so we can assess your condition and begin your customized treatment plan. Early care makes all the difference in a full and lasting recovery from whiplash!