What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when your head rapidly moves back and forth like a whip cracking. This type of injury most often occurs after a rear-end car accident, but whiplash may result from other trauma.
What are the symptoms of whiplash?
Most of the time, signs and symptoms of whiplash develop within 24 hours of an auto accident or other event. Common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness that worsens with movement
- Decreased range of motion in your neck
- Headaches at the base of your skull
- Pain in your shoulders, upper back, or arms
- Numbness or tingling in your arms
Whiplash involves more than just physical pain. Some people also experience mental and emotional symptoms of whiplash, such as:
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
Other symptoms of whiplash may include ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and difficulty sleeping. These symptoms can interfere with your ability to perform basic tasks and negatively affect your overall quality of life.
What causes whiplash?
Auto accidents, especially rear-end collisions, are the most common cause of whiplash. This injury may also occur during contact sports, such as football, or as a result of physical trauma.
How is whiplash diagnosed?
First, your expert physician at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center asks you questions about the event and your resulting symptoms. They carefully examine your head, neck, and arms to check for pain and limitations in your range of motion.
They may also take imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to rule out other conditions. Then, they recommend the best course of treatment to control your whiplash pain and get you back to normal activities.
How is whiplash treated?
The team at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center offers a variety of effective pain management techniques for whiplash, including:
- Pain injections
- Epidural nerve blocks
- Facet block injections
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture or massage
- Home care such as hot or cold packs
They also provide medication management for continued pain relief after the effects of your injections subside.
If you think you may have whiplash, don’t hesitate to call CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center or schedule an appointment online today.
