Whiplash Injury Symptoms and Treatment

At Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute one of the most common yet underestimated injuries we face with our patients is Whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the tissues of the neck from an abrupt pull or "whipping" of the head. This sudden movement pulls the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion, hence causing pain and discomfort.

Causes

The most frequent cause of whiplash is car related incidents. When a vehicle suddenly stops from impact, the seat belt keeps a person's body from flying out. But the head usually snaps forward, then backward, causing a whiplash injury. 

Many people believe that if they are involved in a low speed impact, they wont suffer whiplash. False! In reality, low impact collisions can cause more damage on a person because the force is not absorbed by the vehicle but by the occupants within.

Besides car accidents, one can sustain whiplash on amusement park rides like roller coasters, while practicing high impact sports, fighting or being shaken.

[Did you know?] Women are affected by whiplash more often than men due to the differences in muscular bulk and the female’s smaller bone structure.

Symptoms

A lot of people don’t know they’ve suffered whiplash after an accident. Most people don’t notice the pain or disregard it due to how small the discomfort is. You may feel fine but pain and stiffness can surface several days after the initial accident. In the worst case symptoms can last for months or years. If after an accident you feel any of the following you might have suffered whiplash.

·      Neck pain and/or stiffness

·      Blurred vision

·      Difficulty swallowing

·      Fatigue

·      Headache

·      Shoulder pain

·      Irritability

·      Dizziness

·      Pain between the shoulder blades

·      Low back pain and/or stiffness

·      Nausea

·      Vertigo

·      Numbness and tingling

·      Pain in the jaw or face

 Diagnosis & Treatment

If you feel you have any of the symptoms listed above ask your orthopedic doctor to take a look. For minor injures or strains of the neck, without serious signs and symptoms as, or without evidence of any neurologic problems, home care may be appropriate. If there is any question about the severity or treatment of a neck injury, see a doctor.

The recovery time from whiplash depends on the gravity of the injury. Most minor whiplash injuries usually resolve within a few weeks. However severe injuries especially those that involve nerve damage t or disc injury to the spine, may require future surgical intervention to avoid chronic or permanent disability.

If you find you have suffered minor whiplash. The symptoms can be treated with simple proper home care:

·     Cold packs or ice can be applied to the neck to minimize swelling and pain.

·     If its first time and the pain is minimal take over-the-counter pain medications (Contact an Orthopedic expert)

·     Reduce motion of the head and neck until pain and muscle tension are gone.

·      Reduce strenuous activities such as sports or heavy lifting.

·      Perform slow range-of-motion exercises to gradually stretch the neck muscles.

·      Massage the sore or painful areas.

·      Use a neck collar for a short period of time to relieve discomfort. 

If you suffer severe whiplash immediately contact an expert to see what measures need to be taken, depending on the severity of your case. Many times patients don't seek treatment until more serious complications develop. In fact 45% of whiplash victims report they still suffer with symptoms two years after the indicial incident.

Prevention

Prevention is the most effective way to avoid whiplash, there are few precautions one can take such as:

·      Properly adjusting the car seat headrest. Make sure that the headrest is positioned properly according to the your height.

·      Using the proper safety equipment when participating in sports.

·      Obey laws and regulations on carnival high-velocity rides, such as roller coasters.

·      Monitor children's activities to prevent falls or serious injuries

·      Drive safely

      ·      No matter how small of an accident still get a professional opinion.

Even without symptoms, it’s prudent to see a doctor in the case of a car accident. There can be damage without symptoms, or there can be delayed symptoms. If you or someone you know is experiencing pains or discomfort from car accident, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute Sports Injury Prevention

Now that school is back in session it’s also that time of the year when many people start practicing sports. If you’re getting back into a healthy exercise routine or your children are joining a sports team, precautions should be taken in order to avoid injuries.

According to statistics from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) around this time last year approximately 1.2 million sustained football-related injuries in the US and more than 581,400 treated for injuries related to soccer.

Exercising and practicing sports are ideal for building strong muscles,  healthy bones and keeping in shape. But, before you go out and start training, here are some safety tips from Sea Spine orthopedic Institute you should consider:

• Stretch - Before starting any exercise don’t forget to stretch and incorporate strength training. A good stretch should be held for 10-12 seconds and not go beyond the point of resistance. This helps muscle flexibility and avoids cramping.

• Hydrate – Drink liquids to keep energized and minimize cramps. 

• Know your limits - Be aware of any health issues you may have and consider your age when determining your abilities before practicing a sport. Don’t rush into it, start at a beginner’s level and work your way up.

• Mix-it–up - If you practice a certain sport, try playing multiple positions. During the off-season, try different sports to minimize injuries that can be caused from overuse of a certain muscle or joint.

• Don’t over do it - Listen to your body, if pain or discomfort develops reduce training time and intensity. This will decrease the risk of injury and help avoid exhaustion. Studies suggest that reducing the number of consecutive days of exercising can lower the risk of injury. Recovery time gives muscles and joints an opportunity to rest and repair themselves between workouts.

• Don't play through the pain -  If you start to feel discomfort, pain or you have any concerns about injuries, speak with an orthopedic sports medicine specialist.

Not all injuries can be prevented, however many can be avoided. Experts suggest that injury rates could be reduced by 25% if people took appropriate preventative action.

Proper chiropractic care is a very effective way to avoid and treat any sports related injuries. If you or someone you know is experiencing pains or discomfort from a injury, it may be a good time to get checked by a local chiropractor. If you're looking for professional and experienced high-rated Florida orthopedic surgeons, contact Sea Spine Orthopedic Institute today at (http://www.seaspineortho.com/) or call  866-816-ORTHO.

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