How Do I Know if I Have Whiplash?
The truth is, if you've suffered from whiplash, you might not realize it right away. It often starts as stiffness or a general discomfort in the neck only to grow into an excruciating pain in a matter of days or weeks.
Sometimes people think their accident was too minor to warrant a doctor visit. Whether a fender bender at a traffic light or a one-on-one collision during a friendly game of soccer, even an incident that seems like "no big deal" can have a major impact on your daily life.
Should I See A Doctor?
If you even suspect you might have whiplash, then yes, you should see a doctor. Any injury to the neck has the potential to become serious.
Seeing a doctor sooner rather than later also makes it more likely you'll be able to ease the financial burden of your injury. If you were hurt because of someone else's negligence, the responsible party may owe you compensation for damages such as medical costs, childcare, or wages lost due to your injury.
Waiting to see your doctor can have other long-term consequences. A case of whiplash might be treatable with just some chiropractic and massage therapy; left untreated, however, that same case may require a trip to the orthopedic surgeon.
How We Treat Whiplash
The neck and spine are critical to the function of your central nervous system. It's important to immediately communicate to your doctor the nature and extent of your discomfort.
Following a full diagnostic evaluation, treatments vary based on the type and severity of the injury. We prioritize the body's natural healing systems, reserving interventional treatments for more severe cases.
Chiropractic adjustment is usually the most effective treatment for neck and spinal injuries. Gentle manipulation of the muscles and ligaments rebuilds strength and range-of-motion. Various techniques and instrument-assisted spinal manipulation can prevent chronic pain, restore joint function, and even treat herniated discs associated with whiplash injury.
Physical therapy is another natural form of rehabilitation. We develop a course of physical therapies based on your personal needs with the goal of getting you back to your daily routine. A range of techniques and tools are designed to make day-to-day life easier and pain-free.
Medication can be used in conjunction with these holistic treatments. Pain relievers ease the symptoms of your injury that make it difficult to complete daily tasks and get the rest you need for your body to heal. Medication can also fight off infection and reduce the inflammation and swelling that makes injuries worse.
Surgery is for injuries that physical therapies and medication don't effectively treat. Improved mobility, chronic pain relief, and better mental health are all common reasons for (and results of) surgery. It can drastically increase your quality of life, and in some cases, preventative surgery may help you stay healthier longer.
At Multi-Care Medical, we make sure you know what your options are so we can find the right treatment for you.
