One of the most common injuries to sustain after a car accident is whiplash.
A soft tissue injury like whiplash affects the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues of the neck.
Whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly thrust forward and backward, similar to the cracking of a whip.
This whip-like motion causes tears in the soft tissues and muscles of the neck, causing cervical spinal misalignments.
Often, whiplash injuries are dismissed as minor or something that will go away over time.
Unfortunately, when this happens, many people develop severe complications later down the road.
Whiplash can take some time to heal, and the longer treatment is put off, the longer higher the chance you have of developing debilitating side effects.
You even risk permanent damage to the joints and muscles in your neck, causing a lifetime of chronic pain.
In the article below, you will learn more about untreated whiplash, the side effects, and the best treatment you can receive for your whiplash.
Table of Contents
Untreated Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are notorious for not presenting symptoms until hours or days after an accident occurs.
That means many people refuse medical attention after their accident, only to have pain show up a few days later.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury and not a bone fracture, so it's not always on x-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans.
Even though whiplash symptoms can be delayed, it is still capable of producing excruciating symptoms that can disrupt your everyday life.
Sometimes the delayed onset of symptoms is due to the adrenaline rush that occurs during an accident.
Once several hours or even a few days have gone by, the victim will notice the signs of whiplash.
Common signs of whiplash are:
- Neck Pain radiating through the back and upper shoulder area.
- Swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the injured area.
- Headaches or pain at the base of the skull.
- Ringing, hissing, static, or humming noises in the ears.
- Dizziness, feeling faint or feeling as if the world is spinning.
Unless you are seen by a medical professional like a chiropractor, you will likely experience chronic pain because of an untreated whiplash injury.
Side Effects of Whiplash
Untreated whiplash comes with a variety of side effects.
Some of the most common are:
Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: You could feel excruciating pain whenever you try to move your neck. The limited range of motion can lead to stiffness and improper muscle healing.
Sleeping Difficulties: Neck pain can make sleeping an unbearable challenge and will often result in even more stiffness after a restless night's sleep.
Depression and Anxiety: Whiplash pain can keep you from going about your daily life. Many people will be in pain just trying to accomplish everyday tasks. This can lead to depression and anxiety as your injury holds you back from the things you're accustomed to doing yourself. This can spiral out of control, causing relationship issues both personally and professionally.
Dizziness and Vertigo: Untreated whiplash can cause severe dizzy spells that often lead to vertigo with intense feelings of nausea.
Tinnitus: Persistent buzzing and ringing in the ears known as tinnitus can cause victims to have a difficult time focusing and sleeping.
Headaches and Migraines: Neck pain is known to cause intense headaches and migraines. The headaches can last for days at a time or become chronic and affect one's daily life.
Whiplash Treatment
No matter how you feel immediately following a car accident, seeking the help of an experienced Chiropractor is crucial for your recovery.
Our Atlanta Whiplash Chiropractor has been treating Whiplash victims for decades.
Our chiropractors in Atlanta specialize in car accident injury treatment and have the skills and experience necessary to help you recover.
There is nothing to lose by seeking the expert opinion of one of our chiropractors after a car accident, especially since we offer free consultations.
When you come to the Arrowhead Clinic of Atlanta for your free consultation, you will have the opportunity to speak with the chiropractor and let them know about your accident.
After that, the chiropractor will perform an in-depth physical examination to determine the extent of your injuries.
When your exam is complete, your chiropractor will design a treatment plan tailored to your recovery needs.
Each patient and their accident is unique, which means their treatment plan will be as well.
If you were involved in a Car Accident in Atlanta, there's a chance you are suffering from a Whiplash injury.
Do not put off treatment.
Let our experienced Chiropractors in Atlanta diagnose and treat your whiplash injury before it turns into chronic pain.
Click the button below to get started.
