Even if you feel fine after a car accident, you should always see a chiropractor soon after.
You could have injuries you aren't aware of yet because some injuries will take hours, days, or even weeks to start showing symptoms.
One of the most common delayed injuries after a car accident is whiplash.
Whiplash is a potentially serious neck injury that should be treated as soon as possible.
In the article below, we'll learn a little about whiplash, and find out how long it takes to heal from whiplash.
Table Of Contents
- What Is Whiplash?
- What Causes Whiplash?
- Treating Whiplash
- How Long Does Whiplash Last?
- Contact The Arrowhead Clinic of Savannah
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when your neck is suddenly and violently jolted forward and backward in a whip-like motion.
This causes sprains and strains to the structures in the neck by stretching these structures beyond their usual limits.
The muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves can all be affected by this motion.
In severe cases of whiplash, the discs in the vertebrae of the neck can be torn, causing disc herniations.
What Causes Whiplash?
Car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash.
They can also be caused by bike accidents, and injuries from sports like football, horseback riding, or boxing.
Physical abuse or anything that leads to being punched or shaken can cause whiplash.
A blow to the head of any kind or a severe fall can result in symptoms related to or leading to whiplash.
The only way to determine the severity of whiplash is to see your chiropractor.
Chiropractors are specially trained to tell you whether or not you've suffered whiplash.
Several treatment options will help treat your whiplash and alleviate your pain and suffering.
Treating Whiplash
Luckily most cases of whiplash are self-healing.
Minor cases of whiplash will typically see the pain and symptoms go away on its own.
If the pain is severe, you can visit your chiropractor, and they will do a physical exam so they can design a treatment plan to help alleviate your symptoms.
The best treatment for whiplash will come from your chiropractor.
If your symptoms don't go away after three months, you're considered chronic.
If your symptoms of whiplash become chronic, multidisciplinary pain management may help you. It can be recommended by your chiropractor if necessary.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
The symptoms of whiplash aren't always immediately felt and often take 24-48 hours to appear.
That's why whiplash frequently goes unreported and untreated.
It's critical to see a doctor after a car accident, no matter how you feel, to keep any injuries from getting worse before they show symptoms.
Once the symptoms have developed, they could resolve quickly, or they could last for weeks, months, or even years.
If you develop chronic whiplash, you could deal with the pain for years.
The specific structures affected by the whiplash play a part in determining how long your symptoms will last.
Some scientists believe that chronic whiplash is due to damage of nerves and that short-term whiplash is just damage to the muscles.
Either way, visiting your chiropractor as soon as you can after your car accident will increase your chances of a quick recovery.
Contact The Arrowhead Clinic of Savannah
If you have been in a car accident and suspect you're suffering from whiplash, contact our Savannah Whiplash Injury Chiropractor today.
Our clinic in Savannah employs expert chiropractors when it comes to medical treatment for car accident victims.
Our chiropractors in Savannah will make sure you don't suffer from whiplash any longer than you have to.
Click on the link below to be connected with one of the professionals at the Arrowhead Clinic of Savannah today.
