Around 3 million people in the United States suffer whiplash injuries every year, usually from being rear-ended in a motor vehicle accident. This common injury, if not promptly treated, can cause years of discomfort and pain and even ongoing damage to the cervical spine.
Ajay Kumar, MD, and our team at New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center provide auto accident injury evaluation and treatment for whiplash injuries. It’s important to contact us as soon as possible after your accident, even if you aren’t yet in pain.
Any injury that makes your head and neck snap back and forth harshly can cause a whiplash injury. The cervical spine, which runs from the bottom of your skull down through the base of your neck, is very susceptible to injuries that put strain on the tendons, nerves, muscles, and spinal discs.
Immediate symptoms of whiplash may include neck and shoulder pain and stiffness. However, not all people experience immediate symptoms, and most have more severe symptoms show up after a few days. These delayed symptoms can include:
Most of these symptoms are caused by swelling and inflammation caused by whiplash, and some may be influenced by nerve damage or compression located around your cervical spine.
While the most common cause of whiplash injuries is car accidents, even minor ones, you can also suffer similar injuries due to a fall, a sports collision, or a bad stumble that caused your upper body, neck, and head to move back and forth violently.
When it comes to whiplash, it’s impossible to know how long your recovery will take. The exact damage done by your whiplash dictates the time required to heal and whether you’re likely to have complications.
Most cases of mild to moderate whiplash can show signs of healing within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how quickly you sought medical care and what kind of treatment your doctor prescribes.
You may still experience symptoms like headaches, muscle spasms, or twinges in your neck for up to a year after the injury if care isn’t rendered soon after the accident. However, most cases of car wreck-induced whiplash eventually heal completely if treated promptly.
Severe whiplash is more likely to cause compression of the spine, nerve damage, and other more serious symptoms. Immediate attention after the accident is crucial to avoid ending up with long-term effects.
It’s estimated that up to 40% of people who have endured whiplash injuries due to a motor vehicle accident will develop chronic whiplash syndrome. You’re more likely to face this outcome if you didn’t seek treatment at the time of your injury.
The best way to avoid serious complications from a whiplash injury is to do the following after a car accident to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment:
If you’ve been in an accident and suspect that you may have whiplash, acting quickly is your best chance to avoid serious or ongoing symptoms. Contact New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center in Hackettstown, New Jersey, or Matamoras, Pennsylvania, today.
