section-02280fe
Whiplash: The Symptoms You Need to Know.
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. Here are the symptoms everyone in Singapore needs to know.
Bottom Line:
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward.
It’s the most common injury that happens during an automobile accident, and it’s one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain.
While a fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents can result in significant injuries.
Why it Matters:
The violent forces that occur during an auto accident can cause damage to your spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones – even at “low” speeds.
Most of these injuries happen because your head is whipped backward and forward very quickly. This rapid motion often results in torn ligaments and injured discs.
Symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, confusion, and even depression may indicate that you’ve suffered a whiplash injury.
You may not immediately notice any pain because of an adrenaline spike at the time of the accident. For many people, these symptoms develop over hours or even a few days and go unnoticed until the initial shock of the car accident has worn off.
To recap…
• Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and joints.
• Symptoms of whiplash may include neck or back pain, headaches, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping.
• There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms of whiplash injuries worsen.
Next Steps:
It’s smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain.
Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly.
Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the road to relief!
Science Source(s):
Biomechanics of Whiplash Injury. Chinese Journal of Traumatology. 2009.
section-3845968
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, and confusion. None of these sound like a good time. If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last…
Bottom Line:
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, and confusion — none of these sound like a good time…
And if you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last.
There’s good news! With a proper evaluation and early treatment, there’s a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.
Why it Matters:
One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing.
Ligaments are the short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and joints of your body. If these ligaments are torn, it can cause neck pain.
The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about 6 weeks with the proper care and treatment.
- The acute inflammatory phase of injury last up to 72 hours.
- The repair phase takes up to 6 weeks.
- The final (remodeling) phase of healing can last up to 1 year.
A non-healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis.
(We should also note, if you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or impaired memory, you may have suffered a mild brain injury. A majority of people with these injuries recover within 3 months.)
Next Steps:
After an accident, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation.
Only after a complete evaluation will you be able to know what type of injuries you’ve sustained, and most importantly, how to get well.
It’s surprising how many people shrug off a “small” accident and push their symptoms aside.
While that may save a little time today, it’s likely to result in much more pain down the road – so don’t wait.
Make a mental note right now to call your favorite trusted chiropractor as soon as possible if you or someone you know experiences an accident.
Science Source(s):
Ligament Injury and Healing: A Review of Current Clinical Diagnostics and Therapeutics. ORJ. 201
section-8702f34
Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What Does it Mean?
Car accident in Singapore? You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries, like whiplash injuries, are some of the most common challenges after a car accident.
Bottom Line:
It may surprise you to learn that shoulder injuries, like whiplash injuries, are some of the most common challenges people face after a car accident.
If you’re driving and have your hands on the steering wheel at the time of an accident, the sudden forces created by the event can result in a torn rotator cuff.
Why it Matters:
Your shoulder is one of the most dynamic and unstable joints in your body and one of the most complex parts. It’s made up of a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
The rotator cuff in your shoulder is a ball and socket joint made up of three bones: your arm bone (the humerus), your shoulder blade (the scapula), and your collarbone (the clavicle).
The supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your shoulder are designed to help you lift and rotate your arm.
It’s hard to ignore a torn rotator cuff because…it hurts! Signs of a tear include shoulder pain when lifting your arm, weakness, pain when lying down, or a limited range of motion.
Did you know…
- Shoulder impingement has been estimated to occur in 10% of people involved in car accidents.
- The risk of neck or shoulder pain 7 years after a collision was 3 times higher for people who suffered whiplash injuries.
Next Steps:
Ignoring a shoulder injury after a car accident is not a good idea.
Your shoulder is designed to move, and if you try to “let it heal” by not moving it, you’re putting yourself at risk for a frozen shoulder.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) results from adhesions that develop in the shoulder due to lack of movement. It can cause severe pain and takes months to heal.
Needless to say, if you experience shoulder pain after an accident, time is of the essence!
Our team is here and can provide a complete evaluation and treatment plan for you to get moving safely and heal quickly. Just give us a call.
Science Source(s):
Subacromial Impingement in Patients with Whiplash Injury to the Cervical Spine. JOSR. 2008.
section-1bd1ad9
Finding Relief After a Car Accident Without Drugs or Surgery
Even if you don’t feel immediate pain following a car accident, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. However, waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you’ll need more aggressive interventions later, so finding relief from pain soon after a car accident without drugs is important.
Bottom Line:
Screech. Bam. Uh-oh… you’ve been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head.
If you don’t feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem – but waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances you’ll need more aggressive intervention later.
With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc. – it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on the to-do list.
Why it Matters:
Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing.
Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary. What’s more, trying to live “around” your injuries can cause additional stress on other parts of your body, which can lead to additional injuries.
Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobility, and strengthening exercises can effectively reduce pain.
To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the need for drugs or surgery, we recommend 3 simple steps…
- Get an evaluation – a complete evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Begin receiving care – after reducing inflammation, movement-based techniques are often recommended to help you regain your quality of life.
- Stay consistent – getting well is a process and staying consistent with your care will help you to heal as quickly as possible.
Next Steps:
There’s no way around it – auto accidents aren’t fun.
However, with the right healthcare team, you can get back to your full life and activities without the need for drugs or surgery.
The key is in sticking to the 3 steps above.
This simple plan will give you the best chance to get well quickly and stay well for years to come!
Science Source(s):
