What to Expect When You’ve Suffered a Whiplash Injury
You’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, or you’ve been hurt as a result of a slip and fall. Chances are good that you’ve suffered some level of whiplash. How can you tell if you have a whiplash injury? What type of treatment can you expect? How long will your recovery take?
Symptoms of a Whiplash Injury
Whiplash occurs when your head and/or neck are violently snapped back and forth, causing the muscles and tendons in your neck and shoulders to hyperextend, resulting in trauma to the soft tissue in and around your neck. Typically, the symptoms of whiplash take a couple of days to appear. They commonly include:
- Stiffness or loss of range of motion in your neck and shoulders, such that you can’t turn your head from side to side or experience pain when you try to look up or down
- Tingling or numbness in your arms
- Tenderness or pain in your shoulders, arms, or upper back
- Headaches, typically at the base of your skull
- Dizziness, loss of balance, or vertigo
What Are Common Treatments for Whiplash Injuries?
In the short term, you can expect your physician to prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and/or muscle relaxers to minimize pain and allow greater range of motion in your neck, head, and shoulders. In some situations, your doctor may use injections to reduce pain. Physical therapy is a common response to whiplash, though it’s generally introduced cautiously and may progress quite slowly. You may have a neck collar prescribed, or your doctor may refer you to a specialist, if appropriate.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Whiplash?
The majority of whiplash injuries are mild to moderate, with a projected recovery time of 2 to 6 weeks. Of course, if your injury is more severe, or if you don’t follow your doctor’s recommendations, the recovery period can be substantially longer.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with anyone who has suffered a whiplash-type injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio.