Can You Develop Migraines Later in Life?
Are you well into adulthood and worried you’ve started to experience migraines? Are you wondering if that’s even possible? We answer that question and more here.
The Dangers of Untreated Whiplash
Commonly associated with car accidents, whiplash may also result from sports or workplace injuries, amusement park rides, falls, or domestic violence. Whatever the cause, if you have whiplash, don’t be tempted to forgo treatment.
Neglecting whiplash can put you at risk for future complications. At AllCare Chiropractic, we believe the best patient outcomes involve early intervention and prevention. Learn more about the dangers of untreated whiplash and what you can do to stop your condition from worsening.
Whiplash 101
Whiplash is a common neck injury resulting from a sudden or violent incident, causing your neck and head to move in a whip-like motion. Some symptoms may appear minimal for the first day or two, but can worsen in time.
Your symptoms may vary depending on how your neck moved about during the initial incident. Typical whiplash symptoms include pain or stiffness around the neck, skull, and back. Talk to us if your mild to moderate pain symptoms and stiffness last for more than a few days.
Long-term effects
In the worst cases, whiplash can lead to prolonged nerve, joint, muscle, or ligament damage, as well as fractures or dislocation of vertebrae. Additional long-term complications and symptoms from whiplash may include:
- Spine misalignment
- Migraine headaches
- Debilitating pain
- Dizziness
- Recurring joint dislocation or injury
- Numbness
- Back pain
- Neck instability
- Memory loss or head injury
Because whiplash occurs as the result of an unforeseen, violent incident, prevention isn’t usually possible. You can, however, prevent your symptoms from worsening through early intervention and proper treatment.
If ignored, these symptoms can lead to temporary or permanent disability.
Whiplash diagnosis
Diagnosing whiplash can be tricky, as some injuries and symptoms may not appear on an X-ray alone. To establish the extent of damage, one of our chiropractors may perform a thorough physical examination to test your neck’s range of motion or request that you get an MRI scan.
Some pain during the physical examination is normal but should be minimal.
Whiplash treatment
If you’re experiencing complications from whiplash, there are treatment options available to help you get back to normal. Talking to your doctor or chiropractor is the best way to determine what treatment is best for you, but here are a few possibilities to consider:
- Physiotherapy
- Massage
- Chiropractic care
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitative exercise
Severe whiplash and its long-term effects can be prevented or alleviated with early intervention and treatment. If you’re experiencing severe pain and neck stiffness due to a car accident or some other trauma, don’t hesitate to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Have your whiplash symptoms evaluated at AllCare Chiropractic by giving us a call or scheduling a visit using our online scheduling tool today.
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