Whiplash would be like no other if you had ever been in a car accident. This is an injury that affects millions of people each year. It’s caused by car accidents where the person has been rear-ended, and then their head whips in another direction. New York Injury Associates workers comp doctor in Hicksville is here to help with an injury you may be experiencing. To learn more about how you leave your whiplash injury untreated and its effects on you, contact us today!
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the rapid force of your neck moving forward and backward suddenly. If this injury is involved, it usually occurs with any muscles, disc, nerves, or even tendons in that area. Some people don’t even feel the effects of the injury until hours later, after the adrenaline has worn off. Any damage from a car accident that you have been involved with should seek medical treatment right away. People often think Whiplash isn’t a severe injury, but it can lead to complications later on. If you recently had been in a car accident and been whiplashed, New York Injury Associates workers comp doctor in Hicksville can help you recover.
What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
At the moment in time when Whiplash occurs, many people don’t feel symptoms until after the fact. Depending on how mild or severe your injury is, it can take days to several weeks to fully recover on the extreme side of things. Here are some of the most common symptoms that occur if you recently been whiplashed:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Limited range of motion
- Headache
- Pain in the shoulder or even the upper back to the arm area
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
In the most severe cases of Whiplash, some of the symptoms include:
- Depression
- Problems and complications with falling asleep
- Anger and Frustration
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Happens When Whiplash Gets Untreated?
After any injury that you had recently been in, it’s important to see medical attention. There could be severe complications that can occur, whether it can happen on the spot or something that occurs days later. If Whiplash gets untreated, here are some conditions that workers comp doctor can help you recover from:
- Loss of Range of Motion- Untreated Whiplash can cause the discs in your neck to become misaligned. This is when the disc located in your neck slips out of place and causes complications with your brain.
- Sleeping Difficulties- Any pain located in your neck can make it hard for you to sleep because you rest your head.
- Depression and Anxiety- After the whiplash accident, it can be challenging for you to drive a car since the last time you got in one, you were just in an accident. However, it takes a toll on your mental health, which can cause your day-to-day activities to be affected.
- Chronic Headaches and Migraines- Since your neck has just been moving back and forth, suddenly creating a hard impact on your skull. At many times headaches can begin to occur of the recent effects that have just happened.
Is Whiplash Serious?
Whiplash can be severe depending on how bad your recent injury has just been. Some cases of Whiplash can be either mild or very painful, depending on how badly you have recently been hurt. There’s a wide range of how the injury to your neck can be. New York Injury Associates workers comp doctor in Hicksville can detect how bad your damage is:
- Grade 0- No complaints at all in that region.
- Grade I- You may be experiencing some pain and stiffness in that area.
- Grade II- You’re beginning to lose your range of motion and are dealing with pain.
- Grade III- Neck pain and neurological complaints such as numbness and tingling.
- Grade IV- Fracture and or dislocation of your neck.
Treatments Available for Whiplash
- Medication- You can take Over-the-counter medications to help alleviate some of the pain and complications you may be experiencing. For those dealing with severe cases, muscle relaxers are a great way to stop the pain.
- Neck Stretches- For those whose injuries are mild, here are some exercises that you can perform while you’re at home. Gently moving your neck slowly from side to side can help eliminate the stiffness and help ease your pain.
- Soft foam collars- These are neck collars that keep your neck in place so that it can heal properly. It’s best to wear this collar while at home to help provide the most support and protection to the neck area.
How Our Workers Comp Doctor in Hicksville Can Help You!
Whiplash is caused by car accidents where the person has been rear-ended, and then their head whips in another direction. Some cases of Whiplash can be either mild or very painful, depending on how badly you have recently been hurt. New York Injury Associates workers comp doctor in Hicksville is here to help with an injury you may be experiencing. To learn more about how you leave your whiplash injury untreated and its effects on you, contact us today!