| Whether it's from a bad roller coaster ride or a car | | | | (also referred to as hyperextension) can be fixed by |
| accident, thousands around the world suffer from | | | | simple anti-inflammatory medication and plenty of rest, |
| whiplash injuries every year. To be exact, it's been | | | | but the exact treatment plan depends on the individual |
| estimated that about 120,000 Americans suffer from | | | | situation and personal preferences. Additional physical |
| some form of a whiplash injury every year. The pain | | | | therapy may be something to consider as well, along |
| can be unbearable at first, but with the right treatment | | | | with chiropractic attention if it's recommended by your |
| and self-care, whiplash injuries do not have to have | | | | doctor or health care provider. Your doctor may |
| long term consequences. Immediate Care of Whiplash | | | | prescribe muscle relaxers or certain pain medications |
| It is critical to address the injury right after it occurs. | | | | depending on your medical background and the type |
| Apply an ice pack to the neck periodically within the | | | | of injury sustained. It's important to rest as much as |
| first 24 hours of the injury and get some rest, relieving | | | | possible during this recovery period because sleep is |
| as much pressure as possible from the upper body. | | | | the body's natural way of healing injuries. Follow up |
| During this time it is important to contact a doctor to | | | | professional medical care with a series of massages |
| set up an appointment, even if the pain does not seem | | | | on your neck and upper back. This will help promote |
| so bad. Oftentimes, victims of rear-end collisions or | | | | the relief of tension in those vital areas that will |
| whiplash injuries do not feel the damage right away, | | | | resonate throughout the rest of the body. Take hot |
| but give it a few days and the pain can become | | | | baths for awhile and cut back on exerting yourself |
| overwhelming. Bear this in mind, so you can get ample | | | | more than you need to. By implementing these |
| time off work and seek medical attention if it is | | | | measures after a whiplash injury, you can speed up |
| necessary. So many people think they can just soldier | | | | the recovery process and be on your feet before you |
| through it, but a serious injury to the neck is not | | | | know it. Don't try to go on with business as usual if |
| something to take lightly. Professional Diagnoses & | | | | you've suffered from a hyperextension in the neck. |
| Treatment Depending on the severity of the whiplash | | | | The repercussions of ignoring the injury can result in |
| injury your doctor or health care provider may | | | | fatigue, sleep loss, headaches, or any number of other |
| recommend additional treatment. Sometimes doctors | | | | symptoms. The pain may only get worse, or escalate |
| may perform a CAT scan or an MRI to determine the | | | | into a more serious health condition unless care is |
| extent of the injury. If the whiplash is severe, a cervical | | | | taken right away to address the problem. |
| collar may be necessary. Many cases of whiplash | | | | |