It’s no wonder that whiplash is one of the most common complaints of patients that have been in car accidents. In a collision, literally tons of force can come slamming through your vehicle. Seek treatment in our Tulsa clinic if you have been in an accident recently.
What is Whiplash?
The sudden movement of the neck as your vehicle is rear-ended causes serious damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and even bones of the neck. The vertebrae in the neck may also become misaligned or even cracked during the impact.
There may be no symptoms immediately after the accident as symptoms usually peak at about 72 hours after an injury or accident. If you suspect that your neck is growing more painful by the hour, go ahead and schedule an immediate appointment to slow the spread of inflammation.
Causes of Whiplash
The primary cause of whiplash in America is automobile accidents, but other simple issues can create pain and inflammation in the neck and upper shoulders. Watch out for causes like:
- Blows to the head during full-contact sports
- Falling or diving into water from a tall platform
- A slip and fall incident that stresses the neck
- Falling objects that push down on the head and the spinal column
Whiplash Symptoms
Aching throughout the body is common after the trauma of an accident. However, whiplash could be the culprit if you are experiencing:
- Stiffening and pain in the shoulders and neck
- Visual disturbances like blurred vision
- Ringing of the ears and dizzy spells that come and go
- Insomnia and irritability
- Headaches stemming from the top of the neck and the base of the skull
- Fatigue that develops after the accident
Whiplash Risks
It can be tempting to just sleep off the bruising and fatigue you feel after a car accident. Serious damage will only grow if you avoid proper treatment within a week of your collision or injury. Complications can arise like:
- Chronic pain that lasts for months or years
- Damage to the ligaments and spinal discs
- Depression and anxiety
- Arthritis that develops in response to the trauma
- Spasms and cramps that keep you awake
- Compression of the nerves in the neck
Whiplash Treatment Options in Tulsa
For years, victims of whiplash often had to resort to pain management through narcotics or even surgery to find relief. Now, with the advancement of spinal care through gentle, noninvasive chiropractic, you can get relief without the dangerous risks and side effects of these traditional approaches.
Testing and Treatment Plans
When a patient comes in with symptoms of whiplash, we start with a medical history and physical to learn about underlying risks and conditions. We combine this information with state-of-the-art testing to explore the spine and the nerves for signs of damage. Then we can put together a treatment plan specifically for you.
Free Whiplash Consultation
If you have been in a car accident or think you may have whiplash caused by some other event, Travis Chiropractic is ready to help. We can help you understand where your symptoms are coming from and what it will take to improve, then design specialized treatment plans to relieve your pain and get you back to health!
Call 918-224-2225 today to schedule your free consultation!