Top Tips On Recovering From A Whiplash Injury

You’ve probably heard about the term ‘whiplash’, which describes what happens to your neck when you are being hit in your car by another automobile from behind or from the left. Events other than motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) can also trigger whiplash. You can suffer from whiplash if you have been shaken as a child or if you’ve been in a severe diving accident. There’s no age limit to who can suffer from whiplash. You can be a child or a college student and you’re still susceptible to it.

Healing from a whiplash injury is not a simple matter. However, you have to first know that you have whiplash before you can heal it. Whiplash signs may take a couple of days to show up. And so it’s important to remember that the fact you don’t feel pain immediately after a whiplash doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of the woods. Your neck or back muscles can get stiff and sore in the days following a whiplash impact. After that, your response can vary, according to your body.

Damage Done From Whiplash

Whiplash damage mostly affects your soft tissues and joints although this condition may be accompanied by depression or other mood disorders. The term “soft tissue” refers to your ligaments, tendons and different muscles. 

Many lucky people do not suffer any injury from a whiplash incident at all. The duration of recovery can differ from those whiplash situations that cause problems, but for many people, 3-6 months is normal.

How To Treat Whiplash

After any car accident, it’s advised that you see a specialist. In the acute and subacute stages, which typically last up to 3 months after the incident, recovery will consist of physical therapy, non-opioid painkillers and lots of support from your care providers.

If you keep feeling the pain for over three months, you’re considered to have chronic whiplash. Multidisciplinary pain management can be of support at this stage. For any accompanying mood disorders, you may consider cognitive behavior therapy, which is a short term therapy that teaches you how to keep a realistic perspective on pain and symptoms, including managing triggers.

How To Recover From Whiplash

●     For a home program see a physical therapist, and do the workouts as recommended. As well as making you understand how to walk comfortably, being obedient to an exercise program will help you overcome fatigue and develop the muscle strength of the neck that is necessary to support the head in proper alignment.

●     Be on the lookout for poor posture. Although short-term movements and positions that reduce pain can be helpful for a little while, they will cause more damage in the long run. Make sure you always check your posture when you’re sitting, standing or working to promote full healing.

●     Try moving and switching positions as much as you can while at work. For example, walk over to a colleague’s desk instead of calling. This may help you make more equal use of your muscles and give them a break before they become overused.