How To Treat Neck Pain After A Car Accident

Car accidents are typically frightening and unpleasant events.

They can be physically as well as emotionally traumatic.

In a related blog post, check out the common causes of car accidents.

Even if you don't feel hurt after an accident, if your car is damaged, your body is likely to be damaged as well.

The muscles in your neck are a delicate portion of your body that can take the majority of the force in a car collision.

Accident victims frequently suffer neck injuries and pain as a result of their neck being thrust forward and then backward following a collision.

Neck pain and stiff necks will increase over time if not addressed, and will almost certainly result in chronic pain that is tough to manage.

Pain in the neck should not be neglected, whether it is caused by a whiplash injury, a neck fracture, a neck strain, a neck sprain, or simply acute neck pain.

We'll go through how to address neck pain after a car accident in the article below.

Common Neck Injuries After Accidents

There are various forms of neck injuries that are commonly caused by car accidents.

The following are the most common neck injuries that occur in car accidents:

Whiplash is an ailment that occurs when your head and neck move forward and backward unexpectedly. The muscles, ligaments, nerves, and other connective tissues in your neck are strained, torn, and damaged as a result of this quick movement.

Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash injury. Whiplash symptoms can appear immediately after an injury or take hours or days to appear. Whiplash normally resolves within a few weeks if treated promptly. Whiplash, if left untreated, can result in chronic neck pain, long-term headaches, and memory problems months or years after the injury.

An auto accident can tear, sprain, or strain the ligaments, muscles, and tendons in the neck and spinal cord, causing soft tissue damage. Neck and shoulder soft tissue injuries can cause discomfort, soreness, and stiffness. Muscular strains in the neck can result in decreased range of motion and muscle spasms.

Glass, debris, or anything in your automobile may fly up and hit your neck during a car accident, inflicting cuts, abrasions, scratches, and deep bruising. Ligaments and tendons of the neck can be damaged by deep cuts or lacerations.

Accident doctor

Symptoms of Neck Pain after a Car Accident

Whiplash is the most common injury sustained in an automobile accident.

Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly thrust forward and then backward, as in a rear-end accident, as previously stated.

Whiplash symptoms can occur right quickly in some cases, but they can sometimes take hours or days to appear following an injury.

This is why, no matter how you feel following a car accident, it is always in your best interest to seek care as quickly as possible.

The greatest approach to speed up the recuperation process is to see a doctor right away.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

range of motion is restricted

headaches caused by stiffness or discomfort of the neck

upper back, arms, or shoulders ache and sensitivity

ringing in the ears and impaired eyesight

issues with sleep

irritability

concentration problems

Herniated discs, pinched nerves, a neck fracture, or facet joint injuries are all serious neck problems.

These kinds of neck injuries can be severe, and they have symptoms that are comparable to whiplash.

Treat Neck Injuries At Home

If you have a sore neck as a result of a car accident, applying ice to the affected area will help reduce swelling and inflammation.

If you want to ice your neck, cover the ice or ice pack in a light towel to keep it from coming into touch with your skin.

If you apply ice to your skin directly, it might produce a painful burn.

You can replace the ice with heat after two days.

Heat treatment loosens muscles and promotes blood flow to the soft tissues, bringing new oxygen and nutrients.

Overextension, overstretching, and even tearing can cause your muscles and other soft tissues to become tense or stiff as they fight inflammation.

Heat can be applied to the wounded area to assist relieve pain and warm up the muscles.

Stretches that are gentle on your neck and spine may be recommended by your accident doctor.

Once the majority of your pain symptoms have passed, stretching is recommended.

Stretching gently and lightly, such as rotating your neck from side to side or up and down, may be recommended to gradually increase range of motion.

Stop immediately if you feel any pain while stretching.

Car accident help

Check-In With A Chiropractor

After sustaining a neck injury, you should always seek medical attention.

There are no stretches or home remedies that can replace medical therapy from a qualified accident doctor.

Neck pain is frequent after a car accident, whether it happens right away or a few days later.

Even serious injuries can cause symptoms to appear later.

Many symptoms will go away in 2 to 4 weeks, especially if you seek medical help.

You should contact a chiropractor if your symptoms worsen, or if you get headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, or arm or hand numbness.

In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, a car accident chiropractor will perform a physical exam and evaluate your medical history.

They can also request imaging tests such as x-rays or MRIs if necessary.

Your chiropractor will create a treatment plan that is suited to your unique needs once a diagnosis has been determined.

Chiropractic care, unlike that of other doctors, is all-natural and does not involve the use of prescription pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medicines, or muscle relaxants.

A cervical collar or neck braces may be recommended by your chiropractor, but they should not be worn frequently because they can weaken your muscles.

Visit Arrowhead Clinic

If you've been in an accident and are experiencing neck pain, you should seek treatment and pain relief from an experienced Chiropractor.

Arrowhead Clinic has a staff of chiropractors who specialize in assisting accident victims in recovering from neck discomfort and getting back to their normal health and lives.

Each patient who comes to Arrowhead Clinic receives a free consultation to determine the source of their discomfort and develop a treatment plan.