How To Treat Whiplash
Being in an auto accident is no fun. You have to remember what to do after a car accident, gather information from the other driver and about the accident, as well as think about hiring an auto accident attorney. This can all be much more of a headache if you’re dealing with an injury.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with rear-end car collisions and can make life difficult to manage. Here’s how to treat whiplash.
First, when a driver or passenger’s head moves backwards and forwards suddenly with a lot of force, the soft tissue in the neck extend beyond their regular range of motion. The rapid movement can damage the tendons and ligaments in the neck, causing them to stretch or tear. This is whiplash.
Cases of whiplash can range from minor to more severe. The amount of pain and the time it takes to heal can also vary. Sometimes, the time it takes for whiplash symptoms to appear can also vary greatly.
Because it may be up to a few days before you notice symptoms of whiplash, there are several symptoms you should watch for if you’ve been in an auto accident. If you have whiplash you may experience neck pain and stiffness, headaches (especially at the base of the skull), dizziness, blurred vision, or unrelenting weariness.
If you notice these symptoms getting worse, or they seem to spread to your shoulders or arms, moving your head becomes painful, or you have numbness/weakness in your arms, see a doctor immediately.
Once you’ve determined that you have whiplash, you can start with some at-home remedies. Ice your neck to help bring down any swelling you may be experiencing. Ice for 15 minutes every few hours and see how you feel after two or three days.
If you are still experiencing pain after a few days of icing, you can try applying moist heat to your neck by using warm, wet towels or taking a warm bath. You can also take some anti-inflammatory pain medication.
If the whiplash is more serious, you may need to see a doctor. The doctor may recommend wearing a neck brace to temporarily prevent movement and more injury to the neck. But a lack of movement can actually make whiplash worse in the long run. Physical therapy and specific exercises performed throughout the day may help improve whiplash.
Remember, even a minor car accident or an accident with no damage can cause whiplash. If you’ve been in any type of accident it is important to pay special attention to your body in the days following the accident.
As symptoms may come on after the fact, it is especially important to know how to deal with a car accident and to follow a car accident checklist. Trying to get compensation for medical bills after a car accident without a police report can be difficult.
If you find yourself suffering from whiplash, be sure to contact a car accident lawyer. If you’re a Taylorsville resident and want the best of the best, choose Cockayne Law. They can help you work with insurance, police, and anyone else involved so that you can work on getting better.
