Do you think you may have whiplash? It's possible to have this neck injury and not have any symptoms, or you may not have symptoms until hours or even days after the injury. If you have any of the common signs and symptoms of whiplash, such as neck pain, stiffness, and headaches, it's important to get checked out by a medical professional. At Orthopedic & Wellness in Frederick, Waldorf and Germantown, Maryland, our highly qualified doctors are experts in diagnosing and treating neck pain caused by whiplash injuries. Whiplash is an injury to the neck caused by any strong head movement that extends the neck too far.
This can be due to a car accident, a hard tackle when playing soccer, or a slip and fall that shakes your head. The impact of a car accident causes the head to move violently backward and then forward, tightening the structures of the neck and causing injury. Common signs and symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. Worsening of pain with neck movement and loss of range of motion in the neck are also common.
Most people with whiplash get better within a few weeks if they follow a treatment plan that includes pain medications and exercise. However, some people have chronic neck pain and other long-term complications. Gentle stretching, physical therapy, massage therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications can ease symptoms and heal the injury. Immobilizing your neck with a neck brace is not the primary treatment for whiplash; in fact, not moving your neck after a whiplash injury can make things worse.
If your neck is stiff and sore after a car accident or fall, you may have a whiplash. The only way to know for sure is to see a medical professional. Contact Orthopedic & Wellness at the location that best suits you to schedule an appointment with us today. You can call the office or use our online booking tool to schedule your appointment.
