How to Treat Whiplash Neck Pain
How to Treat Whiplash Neck Pain
Learn more about what can be done about whiplash pain.
Keyword(s): whiplash neck pain
There are about 6 million car accidents in the US every year. About 3 million people are injured each year as a result. Meanwhile, about 2 million people experience permanent injuries after a crash.
If you were rear-ended, you could sustain a whiplash injury. Whiplash pain could last if you don't seek treatment right away.
Don't let whiplash neck pain impact your quality of life. Instead, consider these four whiplash pain relief options. Exploring your options for treatment can ensure you receive help right away.
Keep reading to discover your options for treatment before your whiplash pain gets worse.
Pain Management
You can visit a pain relief specialist to learn how to manage your whiplash neck pain. Remember, your pain can get worse if you delay treatment. After a car crash or accident, make sure to track your symptoms.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms to customize a treatment plan based on your distinct needs.
Let them know which whiplash pain symptoms you experience. Symptoms of whiplash can include:
Dizziness
Neck pain and stiffness
Fatigue
Tingling or numbness in the arms
Pain that gets worse with neck movement
Loss of range of motion in the neck
Pain or tenderness in the shoulder, arms, or upper back
Headaches (usually starting at the base of the skull)
Blurred vision
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Ringing in the ears
Sleep disturbances
Memory issues
Depression
Let your doctor know if you start experiencing whiplash pain. You might not notice symptoms in the days or weeks after the incident. However, you could experience pain for months or years without treatment.
Instead, make sure to seek pain management treatment right away. You can keep your symptoms from getting worse over time. With whiplash pain relief, you can avoid complications or lasting pain.
Otherwise, your whiplash neck pain could impact your quality of life.
Management Tips
There are a few ways you can manage your pain. First, make sure to rest after the injury. Light rest is o.k. but prolonged inactivity can be detrimental to the healing process.
Try cold therapy as well. You can place a cold pack against your neck for 15 minutes every three hours. Make sure to wrap the cold pack around a moist cloth, putting cold directly on your skin can cause damage.
If you experience more intense pain, go to an urgent care facility or hospital if you did not go after your accident.
Many times they will prescribe muscle relaxants and/ or pain relievers. Muscle relaxants can make you sleepy so consider taking your muscle relaxants before bed.
Exercise
If you're not interested in pain medications, talk to your doctor about the exercises you can complete at home. Stretching and movement exercises can restore the range of motion in your neck. It could ease your whiplash neck pain.
These exercises could help you resume normal activities, too.
These exercises might include:
Bending your neck toward your chest
Rotating your neck in both directions
Rolling your shoulders
Tilting your head from side to side
You can work with your chiropractor to develop a list of exercises you can complete at home.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care, especially from a trauma trained chiropractor should be the primary choice of care. Chiropractic care gets to the cause of your symptoms without the use of prescription medications like opioids or surgery.
If your spine isn't properly aligned, you can experience inflammation. Inflammation can contribute to your whiplash pain symptoms. Straightening your neck and spine will ease the pain.
Manual chiropractic adjustments can restore the range of motion in your neck, too. Otherwise, stiffness will make it difficult for you to move. Restoring your full range of motion can improve your quality of life.
After an injury, it's common to lose muscle strength and tone in your neck. You might struggle to complete your usual routine. Chiropractic care can improve your muscle tone as well.
If you're experiencing headaches, let your chiropractor know. Remember, headaches are a common symptom of whiplash pain. Adjustments reduce tension in your muscles to relieve your headaches.
Consider combining chiropractic care with exercise. You can experience pain relief and avoid future issues.
You can also combine chiropractic care with massages and acupuncture. Neck massages might provide short-term pain relief. Acupuncture involves applying ultrafine needles to your whiplash pain areas.
It can help ease your whiplash pain as well.
A chiropractor can also provide you with tips for improving your posture and work environment. You can gather techniques to avoid making your whiplash pain worse.
Whiplash Neck Pain: 4 Options for Easing the Pain Away
After an accident, you shouldn't have to live with whiplash neck pain. Instead, consider these options for whiplash pain relief. Seeking the help you need right away can improve your quality of life for years to come.
Ready to seek help to ease your pain? We're here for you.
Contact us today at 800-862-5914, 24/7, to discover how to manage your pain without addictive drugs or invasive surgery.
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