Car Accident / Whiplash Pain Specialist
Whiplash is a typical car accident injury that occurs explicitly after a rear-end car collision. Although whiplash is a mild condition, it can lead to long-term pain and discomfort.
WHAT IS A WHIPLASH INJURY?
A whiplash injury refers to a neck sprain resulting from a sudden jerking motion. It results when the neck’s soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) extend beyond their range of motion.
Although the symptoms may disappear after some time, however, look out for any physical changes for at least a few days after the accident.
Chiropractic care in Seattle helps prevent any further complications. Therefore, instead of relying on OTC pain relievers, consult an auto accident injury chiropractor.
OTC painkillers offer temporary pain relief. Chiropractic care provides a more permanent solution.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF WHIPLASH/ AUTO ACCIDENTS INJURY?
Headache is the most frequently observed symptom following whiplash injuries. The symptoms may last for a few weeks. Consulting a doctor as soon as possible after the accident helps avoid complexities.
Here are the common whiplash symptoms:
- Stiffness and pain in the neck
- Pain that worsens with neck movement
- Limited range of movement
- Referred pain from the channel in arms and shoulders
- Tingling sensation and numbness in arms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches usually starting at the skull base
OTHER LESS FREQUENT SYMPTOMS
In addition to neck pain, stiffness, and loss of range of neck movements, some other symptoms of a whiplash injury. Here are the less frequently observed whiplash symptoms after an auto accident:
- Dizziness and blurring of vision
- Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory problems
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Fatigue, depression, and irritability
CAUSES OF AUTO ACCIDENTS INJURY/WHIPLASH
Auto accidents are the primary cause of whiplash injuries. Sudden jerking movements resulting from fights or physical assaults may also cause a neck sprain.
Any type of tear or forceful stretches in the ligaments or tendons around the neck can damage the discs and tissues. The common whiplash causes include:
- A sudden harsh blow to the head
- Contact sports like football, karate, and rugby
- A sudden jolt during horseback riding
- A violent punch or fall
- Automobile collisions
LONG-TERM PROBLEMS THAT CAN HAPPEN DUE TO UNTREATED AUTO ACCIDENTS INJURY / WHIPLASH
Ignoring a whiplash injury can lead to severe health disorders, including chronic neck pain, neck muscle spasms, and the ears’ constant ringing. It may also lead to osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and limited range of motion of the neck. Seeking chiropractic care is crucial for a speedy recovery.
DOES MEDICAL INSURANCE COVER TREATMENT FOR AUTO ACCIDENTS INJURY / WHIPLASH?
Most basic medical insurance schemes cover the total cost of chiropractic care for a whiplash injury. Your chiropractor will guide and advise about medical insurance coverage.
Divine Spine Chiropractic Studio is one of the best chiropractic clinics in Seattle. We can help treat most health conditions, including providing whiplash treatment.
Contact us to book an appointment if you have a whiplash injury.
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR WHIPLASH
Most people rely on over-the-counter pain relievers and simple self-care tips for whiplash treatment. However, pain medications such as muscle relaxants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotics, and analgesics provide temporary pain relief.
Chiropractic care is the best long-term treatment for restoring health. Chiropractors use chiropractic treatment techniques like stretching exercises, spinal manipulation, and deep friction massages to speed the recovery process.
Ice packs and regular physical exercise are also helpful in relieving pain and soothing the muscles.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Request an appointment online by calling us at (206) 783-6000
You can also use the online booking tool below
How do we treat AUTO ACCIDENT INJURIES?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT whiplash
Do Seattle, WA chiropractors treat whiplash?
Seattle, WA chiropractors are highly rated whiplash injury specialists. They have dealt with thousands of different cases over the years. If you are suffering from a neck sprain, you should contact a car accident chiropractor in Seattle, WA right away.
How long does it take for neck whiplash to heal?
If appropriately treated, most whiplash injuries heal within six to ten weeks. The soft tissues in the neck follow a specific pattern of healing, which involves three phases, namely the inflammatory phase, the proliferative phase, and the remodeling phase.
What is the best treatment for whiplash injury?
Although over-the-counter pain relievers provide temporary pain relief, chiropractic care is the best treatment for a whiplash after a car accident. It is a natural way of accelerating the process of healing of the sprained tissues. Delaying the treatment can have negative consequences.
Yes, you can heal from whiplash within a few months if you seek chiropractic care right after the injury. Full recovery of the ligaments and soft tissues in the neck may take several months. However, chiropractic care is necessary for cervical whiplash injury treatment.
What is the fastest way to recover from whiplash?
Chiropractic treatment, regular exercise, and massage therapy are the fastest way to recover from a whiplash injury. Instead of relying on pain medications for temporary relief, you should see a chiropractor immediately after a car accident in Seattle, WA.
How can I speed up my whiplash recovery?
Using home remedies, along with regular sessions of chiropractic care, will help accelerate the whiplash healing process in Seattle. Placing a warm pad on your neck for ten minutes every three hours can also speed up your whiplash recovery.
What are the side effects of a car accident?
Headaches are the most common side effect of an auto accident. Patients may also have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stiffness in the shoulders, numbness, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Consulting a chiropractor for whiplash treatment in Seattle can help reduce the side effects.
How long are you sore after a car accident?
Muscle soreness and decreased range of motion usually last for four to six weeks after a car accident. You may feel pain in your arms, legs, back, and abdomen. Taking precautions and sticking to chiropractic care will lead to full recovery within three months.
Is it normal to throw up after a car accident?
Yes, it can be normal to feel sick and throw up after a car accident. Nausea and vomiting can be the immediate aftermath of a car accident. It may only be due to anxiety or shock. However, you must seek primary medical care.
How long does it take to recover from soft tissue injury?
According to several studies in institutes across the US, soft tissue injury heals within six to eight weeks with regular chiropractic care. You can fix your whiplash injury in Seattle within three months through spinal manipulation, regular massage therapy sessions and physical exercise.
Can you get a concussion from a minor car accident?
Yes, you can get a concussion from even a minor auto accident. A concussion usually indicates a mild brain injury. Concussions are quite common in traffic accidents. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial for preventing any severe health problem.
Can you sue for emotional distress from a car accident?
Yes, you can sue for emotional stress if you are suffering from severe injuries. You can recover compensation for mental distress as part of your total suffering damages. However, these damages are dependent upon many variables and we recommend that you obtain the opinion of legal counsel.
The less frequent symptoms of an auto accident in Seattle are mentioned above in detail. These usually include weariness, dizziness, and irritability in the tissues around the neck. Constant ringing in the ears is also present in some patients with severe injuries.
What are the long term problems that can happen due to ignoring whiplash?
The pain from a whiplash injury may be quite uncomfortable. Lack of proper treatment can lead to more complicated health disorders like arthritis, degeneration of cervical discs, and tinnitus. Chronic neck pain is also common in patients who ignore a whiplash injury.
Resources
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-203789213
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/symptoms-causes/syc-20378921
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9039361/
- https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/neck-strain-whiplash#1
- https://www.healthline.com/health/whiplash
