Missouri residents who have neck pain may be concerned about whiplash, especially if they have recently been involved in an incident where their head snapped forward and backward rapidly, like in many automobile accidents. What is whiplash, and where can you be treated for Whiplash in St Louis?
What is Whiplash?
Neck sprains and strains are both commonly referred to as whiplash. They occur when a person’s neck rapidly moves forwards and backward after a sudden acceleration or deceleration force. The sudden force stretches and tears the tendons or muscles in the neck. Whiplash is typically associated with automobile accidents but can happen at other times as well. Fortunately, whiplash is not a life-threatening injury, but it can cause a prolonged period of pain or partial disability.
What are the Symptoms?
Whiplash symptoms include pain, decreased the range of motion, tenderness, and tightness in the neck. Headaches can be fairly common with whiplash, especially if it starts at the base of the skull and radiates upwards toward the forehead. Anxiety, fatigue, and even memory disturbances can occur as a result of a whiplash injury. These symptoms can develop immediately after an incident, or it may take several hours or days for symptoms to begin.
How Can Whiplash be Treated?
Whiplash treatment can vary based on the severity of the symptoms. For most minor injuries, whiplash can generally be treated at home with a combination of applying ice or heat to the injured area, resting, and taking over-the-counter medications for the pain and swelling. More severe injuries may require treatment by a physician or a chiropractor. A patient may be asked to wear a cervical collar to limit movement in the neck to allow the area to heal, but studies have shown that wearing the collar initially can lengthen the healing time.
A medical professional may prescribe medications for pain or to help muscles relax. They may also recommend physical therapy. A chiropractor may perform a chiropractic adjustment or muscle stimulation. Both physicians and chiropractors may recommend at-home exercises to aid in healing.
If you need more information about treatments for Whiplash in St Louis, speak with a medical professional or Visit Website for more details.
