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7 Signs You Have Whiplash After an Auto Accident

Written By Destination Wellness on March 25, 2021

Whiplash Treatment Many people who have been in an auto accident suffer from whiplash, but it may take them a few days before their symptoms show up. When your head moves forward and backward with sudden force, it results in the soft tissues of your neck overextending. 

One of the first things people think to do once they start experiencing symptoms from whiplash is to visit the emergency room, but that’s not always the best course of action. Many X-rays and MRIs won’t pick up whiplash on the scans because the injury is too small. This results in misdiagnosis and the injury not being treated.

We’ll share with you the seven signs of whiplash you should look for after a car accident and how a chiropractor will help. 

7 Symptoms of Whiplash

If you start experiencing any of the following symptoms after being in a car accident, you should head to the chiropractor:

  • Muscle spasms
  • Obstructed or blurred vision
  • Stiffness or pain in your neck
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue 
  • Difficulty turning your head

Other less common symptoms of whiplash are insomnia, nausea, low back pain, and ringing in your ears. 

These symptoms can begin to appear within 24-72 hours after your car accident and can last a few weeks.  

Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash

A chiropractor will evaluate your symptoms and spine to see what areas of your body are affected by the injury. They will look for ligament injury, muscle spasms, and disc injury. Additionally, they will test for tightness, tenderness, and how well the joints of your spine move.

If your appointment is shortly after the accident, your chiropractor will reduce any neck inflammation using manual therapy and gentle stretching. They also will recommend that you put ice on the injury or use a neck brace as the inflammation goes down and your pain level decreases. Once that happens, your chiropractor will start to do gentle spinal adjustment to begin restoring normal motion to your spine and neck. Your chiropractor may use instruments to apply force to your spine or use a hands-on approach.

Schedule an Appointment at Destination Wellness Today 

If you’ve been in an auto accident and are experiencing discomfort, make an appointment with our office to be evaluated. Our highly trained staff at Destination Wellness Center will assess your symptoms, providing you with the proper care so you can be rid of pain and discomfort.

Contact us today to make an appointment.


Posted In: Chiropractic Whiplash Symptoms