When you’re hit from behind in an accident, whiplash is almost inevitable. It can be a very painful and scary experience, and unfortunately there are no magic pills or quick fixes for whiplash. However, the good news is that with the right precautions and a whiplash treatment plan, you can recover much faster than you might think. To do so effectively, requires the correct approach to manage this condition and get back to normal activities as soon as possible. Here we will look at how you can recover from whiplash quickly and easily.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury that occurs after sudden and extreme movement of your head. It often happens during car accidents, falls, or contact sports, affecting an estimated 10% to 80% of people who are involved in a car accident. In many cases, whiplash may have no visible signs, but in some cases, it can cause severe pain and discomfort. Whiplash is a result of the sudden, forceful jerking motions that are commonly experienced during car accidents. When your head accelerates forward and then suddenly decelerates backward, it stretches and tears the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of your neck and upper back, resulting in whiplash. The good news is that you can treat whiplash.
How Long Does it Take to Recover from Whiplash?
It can take weeks to a few months for whiplash to heal. If you had whiplash and were in a vehicle crash, you should go see a car accident chiropractor as soon as possible. A chiropractor can assess the damage none to your neck and spine, and start to adjust and correct the problems. This treatment can help you recover from whiplash faster, and it ensures you recover properly from an accident. So consider seeing your chiropractor regularly over the next few months to ensure that you continue on the path to recovery.
Other Ways to recover from whiplash fast
See a doctor
While you want to recover as quickly as possible, you also want to do so correctly and properly. If your pain isn’t subsiding after a week or so, or if you’re experiencing dizziness, nausea, or other unusual symptoms, don’t hesitate to see a doctor at Affordable Chiropractic and get checked out.
Heat and Ice
Applying heat to your neck after a car crash is a good way to ease pain and speed up healing. You can use a warm compress for this, or you can soak a towel in very warm water and then wrap it around your neck. If you have been diagnosed with whiplash, you should wait at least 48 hours to use heat, and then use it for only a few minutes at a time. Heat can increase blood flow to the injured area, which can help reduce pain and swelling. However, it also increases the amount of fluid in the tissue, which can delay healing.
Massage
After a car accident, you can decrease pain and increase flexibility by regularly getting a massage. A massage helps break up scar tissue and relax muscles and other soft tissues, which can relieve pain and reduce the stiffness and tightness that can come with whiplash. You don’t necessarily have to go to a massage therapist after a car accident – a loved one or even a friend can perform self-massage techniques that can be just as effective. You can also use massage to prevent whiplash by performing massage on yourself regularly and scheduling regular massage appointments.
The best way to recover from whiplash is to take it slow at first and gradually increase your activities as your pain subsides. When you’re with an injury, you want to be careful not to rush and risk another injury. Here are a few ways to recover from whiplash quickly.
Remain in a brace for a few weeks
Though uncommon, some people may require a soft or hard neck brace to protect their neck and help with their pain. While your pain and injury symptoms are still present, consider wearing one of these to help ease your discomfort.
Always keep moving
When recovering from whiplash, you don’t want to remain still and passive. On the contrary, you need to keep moving, especially your neck and upper back, to ease the pain and allow your muscles and tissues to heal.
Exercises for whiplash recovery
To ease whiplash pain and strengthen your neck, check out these stretches in the event you suffer or are suffering whiplash.
Neck stretch
Place your hand on your forehead and slowly tilt your head towards your shoulder. Hold for 15 seconds and then repeat with the other side.
Neck rotation
Rotate your head in a circular motion for 30 seconds in each direction.
Upper back stretch
Stretch your upper back by placing your hands on your hips and tilting your head and torso backward. Hold for 10 seconds.
Other steps to take to recover from whiplash quickly
Stay positive
While recovering from whiplash, it’s easy to feel sorry for yourself and dwell on your pain and discomfort. However, staying positive and focusing on getting better and moving past your pain is important. That will help you recover much faster.
Stay hydrated
When your body is dehydrated, it produces more pain, and healing takes longer. That’s why it’s important to stay hydrated while you’re in pain. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water to stay hydrated.
Wear comfortable clothes
When recovering from whiplash, it’s important to wear loose, comfortable clothing that doesn’t strain or put pressure on your neck or back. Try wearing a soft, stretchy t-shirt and loose shorts or pants that don’t hug your body too tightly.
Limit your activity
When recovering from whiplash, it’s important to rest, rest, and rest some more. When in pain, your muscles are weaker than usual, so it’s important to rest them and let them heal.
Get Whiplash Treatment at Affordable Chiropractor Today
Whiplash is a very common type of soft tissue injury in car accidents. It can be painful, but it usually heals within a few weeks. If you’ve recently experienced whiplash, book an appointment with one of our car accident chiropractors today so you can get back to a pain-free life.