Coping with the Long Term Effects of Whiplash and Other Auto Accident Injuries
Whiplash and other auto related injuries are no joke. So, how do you cope with the long term effects of Whiplash? When you're hurt in a car accident, the pain can linger for years.
Here are some tips for coping with the long term effects of whiplash and other injuries.
Every year, between 20-50 million people are injured in some sort of a car accident. If you've survived a car accident but are dealing with pain or injuries, of the most common things that you can expect to deal with is whiplash. Whiplash from car accidents happens when your body's head and neck have been moved backwards and forwards quickly and with great force -- like at the moment of impact. This puts a huge stress on your body, and can cause serious neck, shoulder, and back injuries. Of course, whiplash and other neck injuries after a car accident can cause you long term effects and pain. How can you deal with them? Keep on reading this post to find out. In it, we'll tell you everything that you need to know about coping with the long term effects of whiplash. What Are the Long Term Effects of Whiplash? Before we speak in more detail about how to manage the pain associated with car accident injuries, let's take a closer look at the whiplash injury long term effects that can, unfortunately, expect. Keep in mind that you may not experience all of these symptoms, and that they may vary in intensity and overall duration. You will likely experience issues like blurred vision or trouble seeing, ringing in your ears, and overall dizziness. You may even find that you're much more irritable now than you were before your accident. In some cases, you may even realize that you're having memory problems, or that you aren't able to memorize or process things as quickly as you once were. You may struggle with headaches, have trouble sleeping, or notice that you experience numbness throughout your body, though especially in your arms and legs. One of the most common long term effects of whiplash is chronic pain and stiffness, especially in your shoulders, back, and neck. You may also deal with limited mobility, as you find that it's simply too painful now for you to move around and bend as you did before your accident. These issues often happen because you're struggling with problems like a herniated disc, pinched/compressed nerves, or injuries to the facet or sacroiliac joints. In some cases, you may be dealing with something as serious as a bone spur as a result of your whiplash. You may also experience what's known as "referred pain" in your back, neck, and shoulders. This means that, while the injury is actually located in one part of the body, you'll actually feel it in another part. Referred pain is especially common in either the neck or the shoulder area. How Can You Cope with the Lasting Effects of Whiplash? About 1/4 of those who have dealt with whiplash suffer from chronic pain. If you're one of them, we know that you'll try almost anything to get your life back and manage the long term effects. In this section, we'll tell you some of the best ways you can get on the road to recovery after a car accident. Visit a Chiropractor One of the best ways to manage severe neck, back, and shoulder pain after a car wreck is to make an appointment with a chiropractor. First of all, we know that you'll love the fact that you don't always need to go to a hospital after a car wreck. You'll often be able to get straight in to get the kind of treatment that you need. A chiropractor can correctly identify your condition, and safely adjust your back to ensure that everything is properly aligned. This is especially helpful if your car accident injuries have left you suffering from conditions such as a pinched nerve, tingling, and numbness. Get Chiropractic Massages While a typical "spa-like" massage isn't going to help you to do much to treat your whiplash, a chiropractic massage can offer your countless benefits. Of course, it can also help you to relax -- which is beneficial if you're dealing with increased irritability, stress, or even PTSD and anxiety from your accident. You can get a deep tissue massage, or muscle therapy. Additionally, some chiropractors may use electrodes and other tools throughout the massage to further help your body to fully relax. Try Therapeutic Exercise We know that you want to be up and moving fully again after a car accident, but whiplash often is accompanied by a limited sense of mobility. In some cases, you might even deal with balance issues, as the alignment of your body has been totally thrown off. A chiropractor and a physical therapist can help you to re-learn how to use your body safely again, as well as to help you to get back your full range of motion. You can also ask them if they can connect you with a Primary Care Provider, who will be able to help you to manage your more basic medical needs and give you injury exams. Combat the Long Term Effects of Whiplash with a Visit to a Chiropractor We know that struggling with the long term effects of whiplash and other injuries from a car wreck can be agonizing and emotionally frustrating. We hope that this post has helped you to better understand what you can expect, as well as the treatment options available to you. If you're interested in working with a chiropractor, we want to be able to help you. Spend some time on our website to learn more about the services that we have to offer. Then, when you're ready, we invite you to make an appointment with us.
