Whiplash Specialist

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury, often a strain or sprain, that occurs because of a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and neck. 

It’s commonly caused by being in a car accident, but other risk factors are physical abuse, sports accidents, and falling down. Treatment can offer you pain relief and speed up healing after whiplash.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck stiffness
• Neck pain
• Pain with neck movement
• Decreased range of motion
• Headaches
• Muscle soreness
• Shoulder, arm, or upper back pain
• Tingling
• Numbness 
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

You may also have blurry vision, ringing in your ears, irritability, or depression after a whiplash injury. You could feel better over time with at-home care, but sometimes, you need medical intervention to diminish symptoms and eliminate crippling discomfort. 

How does my doctor diagnose whiplash?

To find out if you have whiplash and develop an effective treatment, your Doctors United provider discusses your medical history, accident history, and symptoms you may have. 

They check your vital signs and complete a physical examination, paying close attention to tenderness in your head, neck, and back. 

Your specialist may recommend you complete blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures to diagnose your condition and personalize a treatment plan.

What are the common treatments for whiplash?

Depending on the type and severity of whiplash injury you have, experts at Doctors United could recommend one or more of the following:

Home remedies

Things you can do at home to reduce whiplash discomfort include resting your neck and back, wearing a neck brace or foam collar, using ice or heat packs, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. 

Medications

Your doctor may give you medicine to make you feel more comfortable while healing from a whiplash injury. 

Injections

Your provider offers injections to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as speed up healing after a whiplash injury.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy, including massage, stretching, exercises, and sometimes manual adjustments, can reduce whiplash pain. It also strengthens affected tissues, accelerates healing, and reduces your risk of reinjury.

Chiropractic care

Chiropractic adjustments can improve spinal alignment and ease discomfort caused by whiplash.

At the first sign of severe or ongoing whiplash discomfort, schedule an appointment with Doctors United by phone or online today.