Neck injuries are common in an auto accident and can be painful in their own right. Whiplash is a type of neck injury usually associated with rear-impact auto collisions. Whiplash occurs when the soft tissues in the neck (containing nerves, muscles and ligaments) are damaged.
Symptoms of a Concussion
Common symptoms of whiplash include the following:
- headache
- tightness in the neck
- inability to turn the neck without pain
- numbness
- tingling
- radiating pain into the shoulders
Treatment for Concussion
Chiropractors are leaders in the care of whiplash injuries. A doctor can properly determine the severity of a whiplash injury and whether any structural damage has occurred.
Common treatment includes wearing a collar to immobilize the neck and the use of prescription pain medication or muscle relaxants to relieve tension. Further treatment from a physical therapist or chiropractor might be necessary. In severe whiplash injuries, symptoms may not subside for several weeks, and further diagnostic testing is necessary to determine if surgery is needed.