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Treatment For Whiplash
Early treatment for a whiplash neck injury is advisable to help prevent complications further down the line. A whiplash injury follows a sudden impact, the most common cause being a car accident. However, although it can be painful and distressing initially, it's not usually serious.
If you're suffering from whiplash symptoms start the following self-treatment as soon as possible following the accident:-
Apply an ice pack to the neck wrapped in a towel so it the ice doesn't contact your skin. Keep in place for up to 30 minutes.
Take a painkiller to ease the neck pain but remember this is only a short term measure. Take the recommended dose as advised by the instruction leaflet.
Rest for a few days. In over half the cases of whiplash, symptoms will begin to ease within days or a few weeks at the most.
Seek medical attention if your symptoms have not eased after a week or start to get worse. You may be advised to wear a soft collar for a short period or given a few exercises.
Return to your usual activities after a few days rest. Studies have found that people who continue to move and stay active after a whiplash injury tend to recover quicker.
If it's been over a month since your accident and you didn't treat it at the time you might consider physical therapy or osteopathy to encourage a return to normal movement.
Whiplash Symptoms
Whiplash is rarely a serious problem with the majority of people making a full recovery within a month suffering nothing more than neck pain and stiffness.
You should start to feel better within a week with all symptoms gradually disappearing with the right treatment. However, there are a few signs following an accident or collision that need to be monitored - see below.
Whiplash Symptoms
The most common symptoms of whiplash are:-
- Pain in the back of the neck - get worse with movement
- Pain across shoulders, arms or between shoulder blades
Less common symptoms include:-
- Balance problems and dizziness
- Pins and needles in the hands
If you experience any of the less common symptoms you should see your doctor as soon as possible just to be sure.
Another long-term symptom not usually associated with a whiplash injury is poor posture. If you have not recovered your full range of movement following a neck injury your posture may suffer and lead to further neck, back and shoulder pain. Taking steps to improve your posture will also help.
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