While whiplash is a very common occurrence in car accidents, in sports, where impacts from behind are common, whiplash injuries may also occur. As a matter of fact, whiplash can result in any operation or accident that includes the head being unexpectedly and easily snapped forward and backward. For certain victims, whiplash injury is a very severe fact. Get more informations of San Antonio Chiropractor Association
Whiplash refers to an injury to the soft tissues of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the neck and upper back. The signs of whiplash include, among many others, neck pain and stiffness. There could also be upper back and shoulder pain. Whiplash injuries can recover within weeks or can worsen and transform into chronic problems that last for years and lead to pain and sometimes disability, depending on the severity of the whiplash injury and the health of the person involved in the accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered a whiplash injury, it is vital for a diagnostic examination and determination of the extent of your injuries to see a chiropractor or medical doctor. Most injuries are related to muscle strains which involve injuries to the muscles and ligaments of soft tissues. Whiplash is a more complicated injury since damage to the cervical discs as well as damage to soft tissue can occur. If the degree of your injuries falls outside of chiropractic alternative treatment, your chiropractor will refer you to a doctor.
Recent studies have shown that early movement and exercise, rather than immobilization, tend to alleviate whiplash symptoms and facilitate upper back and neck recovery. The use of a soft cervical collar may be advised by your chiropractor or doctor to help stabilize the head and relieve pressure on the neck when healing ligaments. Whiplash remedies that are more readily available include plenty of rest, ice, compression and elevation. For the first 24 hours, ice may be applied, accompanied by gentle active movement. Medications for pain over the counter are also effective for reducing inflammation and pain. When properly used for mild pain relief, they are reliable and successful.
One of the most common complications arising from a car accident is neck and upper back injuries. Symptoms such as pain in your neck, headaches, pain in your shoulders, arms or hands, decreased range of motion in your neck, numbness, weakness and slower reflexes in your arms and hands, and muscle spasms in your neck can result from neck injuries.