Whiplash is a very common auto accident injury in Decatur, GA.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury caused by a jerking, sometimes violent movement your body makes during a collision.
Even a low-impact accident in Decatur, like a rear-end collision, can cause damage to the neck muscles and ligaments, causing them to become inflamed or even torn.
People with whiplash might not notice any symptoms at first and it may take a few days or longer for symptoms to present themselves.
Severe cases of whiplash can last for a long time and will require more extensive treatment.
Seeking medical treatment after a traumatic accident no matter how you feel can help you recover faster and help ensure there are no long-lasting complications.
In the article below, we will look at how long it could take to heal from a whiplash injury in Decatur.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Whiplash?
- Common Symptoms of Whiplash
- Effects Of Whiplash
- Recovery Time For Whiplash
- Treating Whiplash
- Contact The Arrowhead Clinic in Decatur
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is another name for a neck strain.
In a car accident when your vehicle stops, jerks, or turns too suddenly, the resulting impact can cause the neck to turn or jerk.
This sudden movement can result in stretches, tears, and injuries to the muscles and tendons of your neck.
Symptoms of whiplash do not always appear immediately.
The adrenaline that rushes through your body after an accident can mask the pain from whiplash, which is why many accident victims don't think they are injured.
The pain and symptoms from whiplash can take hours, days, or weeks to present themselves.
Common Symptoms of Whiplash
The most common symptom of whiplash is neck pain.
Most symptoms of whiplash will appear within 24 hours after the accident.
Whiplash symptoms can last for several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Decreased range of motion
- Pain with neck movement
- Neck stiffness
- Headaches
- Pain at the base of the skull
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in the arm or hand
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Problems concentrating
- Shoulder pain
- Lower back pain
- Dizziness
- Problems with focus
- Ringing in the ears
After experiencing a whiplash injury, whether mild or severe, you must visit your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.
Effects of Whiplash
How long it takes to recover from whiplash will depend on your overall well-being and the severity of the injury.
A minor injury will heal faster than a severe injury.
More often than not, whiplash injuries will heal within six months.
A third of whiplash injury victims reported neck pain ten years after the accident.
Some people experience symptoms for the rest of their lives.
The pain you feel during the first few weeks after your accident is indicative of whether or not you will be able to achieve a full recovery.
If you have severe pain after the accident you will have a decreased chance of recovering fully.
If you have preexisting conditions like neck pain, arthritis in the neck, or chronic headaches, your recovery period will be longer, and there is a greater likelihood of long-term effects.
Recovery Time For Whiplash
If you're lucky, you may have only a few days of neck or upper back pain.
Mild cases of whiplash can be treated with pain pills like ibuprofen, and symptoms usually subside within a few weeks.
However, painkillers should never be a long-term option for your pain.
You want to keep your neck mobile and avoid putting it in a neck brace.
A neck collar can actually impair the recovery process.
If you were in a severe accident, you will likely have severe pain and difficulty moving your neck and head.
Severe whiplash injuries can last for months.
On rare occasions, symptoms may never entirely disappear.
Pain and stiffness in your neck may be accompanied by upper or lower back pain, severe headaches, sleepless nights, and affected vision, among other symptoms.
Your recovery time will depend on the treatment you seek for your injuries.
Treating Whiplash
Seeing a whiplash chiropractor as soon as you can after your accident is a critical component to making a complete recovery.
A review of your medical history and a hands-on examination allow your doctor to address immediate pain and develop a personalized treatment plan.
The more proactive you are about your recovery, the faster you will make a full recovery.
Depending on your whiplash injury, you could be provided with a range of options to address your pain and heal the tissue.
While you're waiting to make it to the chiropractor in Decatur, ice and heat therapy can be an effective way to reduce pain.
Your doctor will use a combination of spinal adjustments, stabilization exercises, massage, stretching, and rest during your whiplash healing process.
Your chiropractor will work with you to determine the best balance of these activities for your specific case.
Contact The Arrowhead Clinic in Decatur
Contact the Arrowhead Clinic in Decatur if you are suffering from whiplash after a car accident or any accident, and you need to see a chiropractor to help you with your pain.
Arrowhead Clinic has been serving Georgia for over 40 years.
Our office in Decatur is happy to offer a Free Consultation to all new patients.
To schedule yours, click the button below.
