Suffering an injury in a car accident or during an intense sports activity may not be immediately obvious. You might not feel pain for hours or even days after the event. One of the most common types of delayed injuries is whiplash.
The soft tissue injuries associated with whiplash can take time to emerge, or the symptoms may be masked by the adrenaline surge that follows an accident or injury. Some people are surprised to find they feel fine after even a substantial collision on the roads or the sports fields.
However, the team at reNu Chiropractic Wellness & Injury Center in Newark, Delaware, know that this is an illusion caused by your body’s chemistry. Without prompt follow-up care, whiplash injuries can lead to additional symptoms, long recovery times, and even ongoing, chronic pain. Schedule a visit when you have reason to suspect you may have whiplash, even if the pain hasn’t started yet.
The signs of whiplash
The complex anatomy of your neck contains several types of tissue, including spinal discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Any injury that causes a forceful snapping movement of your head and neck can damage one, several, or all of these structures, resulting in a whiplash injury.
Whiplash injuries often develop within days or weeks of an accident, and their symptoms can include pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Additional signs of whiplash can include:
- Neck pain that gets worse with movement
- Pain or tenderness in your upper back, shoulders, or arms
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
- Dizziness and/or blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
- Disrupted sleep
- Irritability, depression, or other mood changes
Whiplash most commonly occurs in car accidents, especially if you’ve been rear-ended, but you can also sustain these types of injuries by falling, through athletic activities, or because of a sudden turn or twist.
Complications of whiplash
Whiplash injuries generally respond well to treatment, especially chiropractic care and particularly when treated shortly after the event. The chiropractors at reNu Chiropractic Wellness & Injury Center take a personalized approach to diagnosing and treating whiplash based on the nature of your injury and symptoms.
While chiropractic adjustments usually form the core of your treatment plan, your caregiver may recommend other treatment modalities. It’s common to find relief from whiplash symptoms within three months of your injuries, though recovery time can vary between patients, and much depends on the extent of your injuries.
Skipping whiplash treatments could lead to chronic complications that last years or even the rest of your life. In addition to chronic pain, you may continue experiencing symptoms that include:
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in your ears
- Severe, chronic headaches
- Jaw pain
- Weakness, numbness, or sensory problems in your limbs
- Memory problems
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in your personality
Reduce your chances of long-term problems from whiplash by seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident or physical trauma involving your head and neck. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with reNu Chiropractic Injury & Wellness Center today.