Every year, over 2 million people across the United States develop whiplash as a result of a car accident. While this injury is incredibly common after a car accident, many patients may choose to put off care. Instead, they may consider attempting recovery on their own and ignoring the immediate discomfort they experience.
However, ignoring whiplash after a car accident can have devastating consequences on your day-to-day life. While you may not think your symptoms are severe enough to warrant treatment, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If you’re experiencing whiplash after a car accident and are considering skipping professional treatment, keep reading to learn more about the risks of putting off professional care.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your neck is exposed to sudden, unexpected force or movement. When this injury occurs, the muscles, bones, ligaments, and nerves experience increased strain that can significantly impact your everyday responsibilities. Some individuals may experience whiplash while playing contact sports.
However, whiplash after a car accident is also incredibly common and is how most patients develop the injury. Even if it is just a less severe collision or low-speed accident, even the most minor movements can lead to the development of whiplash. In general, whiplash after a car accident is most common among adults over 65 and women.
When you’re experiencing whiplash, your medical team will use grades to rank the severity of your condition. The grades are as follows:
- Grade 0: You are not experiencing any injury.
- Grade 1: You will experience pain or stiffness when moving your neck. The skin of your neck may also be tender to the touch.
- Grade 2: You’ll experience more extreme, radiating pain and muscle spasms, and may show physical signs of injury.
- Grade 3: In addition to pain, you may experience neurological problems, like dizziness, headaches, vision changes, and numbness or tingling.
- Grade 4: At this point in the injury, you may be exhibiting signs of a vertebral fracture, including immobility, weakness, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
If you believe you are experiencing grade 4 whiplash, it is crucial that you seek immediate medical attention. Sudden worsening symptoms can be devastating and lead to long-term complications, which is why they should never be disregarded.
What is the Risk of Not Treating Your Whiplash?
If you’re experiencing whiplash after a car accident, you may consider forgoing treatment and allowing the injury to heal on its own. While some patients may recover from whiplash without treatment, others with more serious injuries may deal with more severe complications, including:
- Chronic Pain: Individuals with severe whiplash who do not seek treatment may experience chronic pain in their neck, shoulders, or back throughout the day.
- Reduced Mobility: When left untreated, the inflammation in the tissue may make it difficult to turn your head and perform everyday activities.
- Dizziness: One incredibly common complication that comes from untreated whiplash includes tension headaches and bouts of vertigo.
- Degenerative Diseases: If left untreated over prolonged periods, this injury may cause the discs between the vertebrae in your spine to break down.
- Insomnia: When dealing with long-term discomfort, you may struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Even if you believe you don’t need to treat your whiplash after a car accident, it is always best to seek professional medical advice. Some post-accident complications may not arise for several days or weeks after the accident. By seeking treatment, even if you feel fine, you can address problems before they occur and avoid long-term complications.
How Chiropractors Treat Whiplash After a Car Accident
When you’re experiencing whiplash after a car accident, there are a few treatment options your chiropractor will use to help you find relief. Some of the most common treatment options to help you recover from whiplash include:
- Spinal Adjustments: One of the most effective ways to treat whiplash after a car accident is through chiropractic adjustments. Using precise adjustments, your chiropractor can realign your spine, addressing pain and restoring lost mobility.
- Chiropractic Massage: In addition to these adjustments, your chiropractor may recommend soft tissue therapies, such as massage. This therapy is designed to relax tightened muscles, increase circulation, and alleviate discomfort.
- At-Home Exercises: Your chiropractor may also provide exercises for you to perform at home to treat your whiplash after a car accident. These exercises can help you strengthen your muscles, especially after prolonged periods of immobility.
How Long Does It Take to Treat Whiplash?
While visiting a chiropractor to treat whiplash after a car accident is a great way to provide relief, you may still have some questions about your treatment. One of the most common questions patients have is how long they will have to attend appointments before their whiplash is adequately and comprehensively treated.
On average, it can take a patient between 6 weeks and 6 months to recover from their whiplash, depending on the severity of the injury. During your initial treatments, you should check in with your chiropractor 2-3 times per week. As your symptoms improve, your appointments may become less frequent.
During these treatments, your chiropractor will assess the severity of your injury and ensure their treatments are still benefiting you. With their professional support and small adjustments to your care throughout your treatment period, you can trust that you’re on the path toward lasting pain relief.
Helping Patients in Tooele Treat Their Post-Accident Injuries
When you’re experiencing whiplash after a car accident, it is essential that you reach out to a reliable chiropractor for support as soon as possible. If you’re looking for a trustworthy chiropractic team in the Tooele County area, turn to our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic. With years of experience helping patients recover from a variety of car accident injuries, we’re confident that we can provide you with the lasting relief you deserve.
If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you recover from recent car accident injuries, including whiplash, contact us in Tooele or Grantsville today.