Whiplash Injury And Treatment: After The Accident
Chiro And Physio Help For Your Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash Injury
What is whiplash?
When it happens, the shock takes awhile to sink in. About half of the people involved in a car accident will be injured. You may notice symptoms right away or it may take a week or so for all your whiplash injury symptoms to appear.
WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
Neck, Upper And Low Back Pain
Headache, Dizziness, Nausea
Trouble Sleeping, Focusing
What Happens During Whiplash
This sudden whipping and stopping of your body structures leads to tears and injuries to your muscles and joints. You may also hit your head causing mild to severe brain injuries, such as a concussion. Bump and bruises are included.
Start Your Recovery From Whiplash
Contact us to schedule an appointment with any of your North Burnaby chiropractors or physiotherapists who can help you figure out a plan to get your life back on track.
Factors Affecting Your Whiplash Injury
After the collision, you may feel dazed, confused or disoriented. Some people will feel fine physically at first while others may feel soreness immediately after. How quickly and strongly you notice symptoms depends on many factors including:
- How serious the motor vehicle accident was
- Your physical health around the time of the car accident
- What you were doing at the time of impact (were you looking to the side or straight ahead)
- Your past history of injuries
- Your age and gender
- The safety features in your car (eg. seatbelt, airbags)
- Your proper use of those features (eg. headrest height, shoulder and lap harness)
- Whether you realized you were going to be hit or not
Whiplash Symptoms
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Lower back pain
- Headache
- Dizziness, nausea
- Jaw pain
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Trouble focusing
- Other body aches, pains
- Trouble with memory
- Fatigue, lack of energy
Whiplash Treatment
Fortunately, there are many ways to help you feel better and recover from your car accident injuries. For injuries that do not include bone fracture or brain injury, rest and ice immediately after are helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation in your damaged muscles and joints.
Other whiplash injury treatments include:
- Joint adjustments or manual therapy from your North Burnaby Heights physiotherapists and car accident chiropractors at Cedar to your spine or joints to help restore normal movement
- Taping or bracing can be used to support injured areas
- Exercises help stretch tight areas and strengthen weakened muscles
- Be sure to follow up regularly with your medical doctor during your recovery
- Results will of course vary from person to person
As you improve, the exercise or active rehab part of your care may be expanded. This can include things like:
- Clinical pilates
- Exercises on an exercise ball
- Small hand weights
- Resistance bands
- Rebuilding your core strength
- Other rehab exercises
Your exercise rehab program will continue your improvements by strengthening and stabilizing your injured areas. With the proper guidance, you will be able to safely return to doing the things you enjoyed doing before your car accident.
Try the simple movement shown here or here to help loosen your upper back.
Facts About Whiplash
About 50% of people will have no injuries after an auto collision
Of the other 50% who do get injured, about half of those will recover fairly quickly
The remaining 25% will experience chronic symptoms or those lasting more than 3 months
Most whiplash injuries happen to people in relatively slow moving collisions, eg 10-20km/h
Visible damage to your vehicle usually starts in car accidents of 13km/h or faster
Afterwards, the sooner you are able to safely return to your regular activities and with proper treatment, the faster you will be able to get back to feeling as good as you did before your accident.
Patient Story
The clinic was amazing and provided continuous support and care after my car accident. They were amazing in helping me get better. The other staff and receptionist Jenny are very friendly and will make sure you get the care you need!
Jocelyn
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I have whiplash?
Q: How long does whiplash last?
Q: What treatment can I do for my whiplash?
Start Your Recovery From Whiplash
Contact us to schedule an appointment with any of your North Burnaby chiropractors or physiotherapists who can help you figure out a plan to get your life back on track.
