How To Recognize And Treat Whiplash After A Car Accident

Written By Meghan Belnap / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Have you been involved in a car accident? In addition to the initial shock, you may be experiencing other symptoms like headaches and muscle pain. If you notice an uncomfortable sensation around your neck or head, you may be feeling whiplash. Here are four ways to recognize and treat whiplash after a car accident.

Look for Signs of Swelling

It can be difficult to tell if you’re experiencing whiplash at first. The pain is often mild but then becomes more intense over time. Start looking for signs of swelling in a mirror. If you look like you’ve put on weight on one side of your face, there is probably swelling happening on one side of your neck too. Be sure to check for redness or asymmetry on either side of your neck as this can indicate whiplash.

Test Out Your Neck's Range of Motion

Testing your neck’s range of motion can indicate whether you have whiplash. If you struggle to move your neck, you may have accident-related injuries. You should always see your doctor if you suspect that you have whiplash, but there are some steps you can take on your own to help keep your neck from getting worse.

One way to treat whiplash is with passive cervical flexion with the help of an accident chiropractor. Perform this exercise by sitting on a flat surface with your knees bent at right angles. Your back should be straight with a pillow or other soft support behind your neck.

Pay Attention to Headaches

While neck pain is usually considered an after-effect of whiplash, headaches are one of your body’s most important early warning signs of this condition as well. Pay attention to your head if you’ve been in an accident, even if it was minor enough that you don’t remember it.

If you have severe, sharp pain in your head that doesn’t go away quickly or is accompanied by other symptoms like nausea or light sensitivity, get medical help immediately.

Learn About Medications

It’s important to educate yourself about anti-inflammatory medications so you can know what type of treatment options are available. Take some time to research over-the-counter medications, as well as prescription drugs that can help ease your pain, so you can speak with your doctor about them during your next appointment.

If you have already been given pain medication by a doctor after an auto accident, make sure that you understand its side effects.

Whiplash can leave you with chronic neck pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years. Use this guide to recognize and treat whiplash immediately after an accident to minimize these effects as much as possible.

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Written By:

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels