One of the most common injuries that people sustain after a car accident is whiplash. The force with which the entire body is shoved back and forth on impact is substantial, and can cause quite a lot of damage. If you have recently been in a car accident, then please contact Wellspring Health in Orange City, Daytona Beach, or Altamonte Springs and let us perform an evaluation to see if you have whiplash symptoms. Call today to schedule your chiropractic appointment to get relief from your pain.
In today’s post, we’ll look at 10 signs that indicate you might have whiplash. Whiplash is typically caused from a rear-end car accident, but it can also occur from a sports accident or other trauma. Continue reading to learn the most common signs and contact Wellspring Health in Orange City, Daytona Beach, or Altamonte Springs to have one of our doctors assist you with your pain.
Neck Pain & Stiffness
One of the best things to do when you feel pain or stiffness in your neck is to address it with some gentle stretches, a heating pad, or a rice sock. Try not to head straight to the medicine cabinet for ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These over-the-counter (OTC) medicines simply mask the pain, which may cause a delay in you seeking treatment.
Worsening Neck Pain With Movement
Sometimes the symptoms of whiplash do not appear right away. If you notice that you have increasing neck pain as you move your head and neck, then it is a good idea to call a doctor and have them evaluate your condition.
Loss Of Range Of Motion
Hopefully, you know what the normal range of motion is for your neck on any given day. Pay attention to any difficulty with maintaining that normal range, as this could be an indication of whiplash, which needs to be addressed by a physician with experience in treating victims of car accidents.
Headaches
Headaches can occur for a number of reasons, but if you are having regular headaches that seem to start at the base of your skull more often than not, then it would be wise to let a doctor evaluate the frequency, intensity, and duration of your headaches to see if they could be from whiplash.
Shoulder Tenderness Or Pain
Many people have desk jobs, which are notorious for causing shoulder tenderness and pain due to the poor posture that they tend to encourage. Pay attention to the level of tenderness and pain that you are experiencing so that you can determine whether or not it has increased due to a recent accident.
Tingling Or Numbness In Your Arms
One very common symptom of whiplash is tingling or numbness in your arms. These are not normal sensations, nor should you overlook them. Resist the urge to tell yourself that you just need to “shake it off” or “toughen up”.
Fatigue
The fatigue that is caused by whiplash is not the same type of fatigue that you feel at the end of a long day of work or even at the end of the work week on Friday. This type of fatigue feels more all-encompassing and even overwhelming. If you’re sleeping well each night and still fighting fatigue, it’s time to see a doctor.
Dizziness
There are a number of things that can cause dizzy spells, but if you’ve recently been in a car accident, sports accident, or other type of trauma, then it would be wise to let a doctor evaluate your condition to see if you are suffering from whiplash.
Blurred Vision
Due to the severity of the forceful movement that your neck endured during the accident, your eyes may also have been impacted. If you are experiencing blurry vision for the first time, or blurry vision that is not related to any pre-existing eye condition, then make sure to have a friend or family member drive you to the doctor.
Irritability
Irritability is a little bit harder to identify since it is something that most of us feel on a regular basis due to any number of factors. One key thing to look for if you are concerned that you are suffering from whiplash is the intensity of your irritability. If you find that you are much more easily irritated than normal, then you may be suffering from whiplash.
At Wellspring Health in Orange City, Daytona Beach, and Altamonte Springs, we have the experience to assess and treat patients who have been involved in accidents, whether they were car accidents or sports accidents. If you are concerned that you might have whiplash due to a recent accident, then please call our office in Orange City, Daytona Beach, or Altamonte Springs and schedule an appointment to receive relief from your pain.