When you are involved in a car accident, whiplash may be one of the first concerns you have regarding your own safety. Because whiplash is the most common car accident injury, it is often top of mind for those involved in crashes. While whiplash is usually not a chronic issue, it can be important to visit the right clinic in Snellville, GA to seek treatment that can prevent further issues from developing. Once your case of whiplash has been assessed, it will be essential to develop a plan specific to your needs, with treatment customized to your body.
Identifying Whiplash
If you have been in an accident where your body was jolted suddenly, there is a chance you will sustain some level of whiplash. The condition occurs when the soft tissue in your neck is overextended during sudden movement, leading to strains and sprains that cause neck pain and trouble with movement.
You may not experience whiplash symptoms for hours, or even days, after an accident has occurred. Pain in the neck and shoulders is almost always present, as well as stiffness or trouble moving in that area. You may also feel dizzy, have a headache, or experience a tingling in the arms and hands. Symptoms of whiplash should always be evaluated by a medical professional at a clinic in Snellville, GA to rule out any accompanying injuries.
Treating Whiplash at Home
Because symptoms of whiplash may not appear immediately, you can take steps to protect yourself even if you are not yet in pain. Mild cases of whiplash can often be treated primarily through these same remedies. Icing your neck to reduce pain and swelling is important, especially in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Once the swelling has been reduced, you can begin alternating with heat to soothe the muscles as well.
While you may be able to take over-the-counter medication, you should always consult with a doctor before engaging in any pain management. NSAIDs can help with pain and swelling, and your doctor will likely suggest these if you do not have any conditions that prevent you from taking them. If you need pain relief beyond these medications, you will need to work with your doctor to determine the best plan for you.
Medical Whiplash Treatments
If your whiplash does not improve with home care, your doctor at your local clinic in Snellville, GA will be able to recommend a number of treatments that can help, depending on your needs and prognosis. An effective plan will make use of multiple kinds of whiplash treatment to achieve the best results. While the below are some of these treatments, there may be others your doctor recommends.
Physical Therapy
It is very common to be given a series of exercises that can help your neck regain strength and flexibility as you recover from whiplash. In addition to at-home exercises, a physical therapist may use massage and muscle manipulation to address pain and stiffness. In the case of whiplash, careful and controlled movement helps the recovery process go quickly, so you will be told to engage in this therapy rather than wearing a brace or a collar. While you should use the exercises a physical therapist provides, you should not engage in any strenuous activity until fully healed.
Chiropractic Care
Whiplash can often cause back and shoulder pain, along with symptoms at the site of the injury in the neck. By evaluating and adjusting your spine, chiropractors at your local clinic in Snellville, GA are able to help with alignment that reduces pain and encourages your soft tissues to heal more efficiently. As you heal, chiropractic care can be used to help regain range of motion and the ability to use your spine properly.
Orthopedic Care?
In cases of severe whiplash, you may need care that is more invasive, such as surgery or injections that can help reduce pain or address the root cause of any issues. An orthopedic doctor can address issues in the soft tissue as well as the back to return you to health when whiplash symptoms become unmanageable.
No matter what type of care you are seeking, AICA Orthopedics can treat your whiplash. At our clinic in Snellville, GA, we have a team of multidisciplinary specialists who will work together to create the right plan for you. With chiropractors, orthopedic doctors, physical therapists, and pain management specialists all on staff, you are able to benefit from each type of care to create a comprehensive plan. Whether you have just been in a car accident or you are beginning to notice signs of whiplash, contact AICA Snellville today to begin developing a plan that is right for you.