Whiplash Headaches After An Auto Accident

In the case of an auto accident, not many people are prepared for the effects it will have on them. An automobile accident is an undesirable and unexpected situation that often results in property damage, but most importantly, the impact from the collision can lead to numerous injuries and symptoms, affecting you more than you expect.

Whiplash Headaches After a Car Accident

A headache is a symptom of pain felt in any region of the head or neck. From a mild and irritating discomfort to a severe and throbbing pain, headaches can be caused by a variety of factors and they may occur temporarily or they can last throughout the day. In a majority of cases, individuals report headaches and other similar symptoms after being involved in an automobile accident, most commonly, if they’ve been diagnosed with whiplash.

Any type of auto collision can lead to whiplash and other injuries, however, whiplash occurs most frequently during rear-end impacts in a car. Whiplash occurs when the head suddenly moves back-and-forth in any given direction as a result of a powerful force, extending the neck beyond its normal range of motion. This type of injury can also be caused by trauma from a sports injury or other type of accident. The neck is a complex structure consisting of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. When the structures of the neck are subjected to an extreme force, such as that from a car crash, the tissues within the neck can become irritated and inflamed, causing injuries that results in pain, whiplash headaches and other symptoms.

The symptoms of whiplash generally develop immediately after the automobile accident, although occasionally, the pain and discomfort can take up to several days, weeks, or even months to manifest. The pain is often in the form of whiplash headaches.

Treatment for Headaches Caused by Whiplash

If an individual suffered injuries from an auto accident, whether these were visible wounds or only symptoms of pain and headaches, it’s essential for the victim to seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine the source of their symptoms. Treating whiplash can help relieve head pain. Many people who are involved in a car accident are sent to the emergency room, or ER, where they are treated for any life-threatening injuries from the incident. However, the ER often only treats open wounds or bone fractures, overlooking the individual’s neck and head pain. They may prescribe pain killers or muscle relaxers for the symptoms but, while these may help relieve the pain and restore function, the effects are only temporary and they are not meant to be a cure for headaches or whiplash.

Headaches and whiplash should be treated at the source and, fortunately, there are many different forms of treatment to alleviate the symptoms of an automobile injury.

Chiropractic care is a popular and effective, alternative treatment option for a variety of soft-tissue injuries. Chiropractic focuses on restoring the normal function of the spine and its surrounding structures, eliminating symptoms and improving the flexibility and mobility of the body. Once the healthcare specialist completes a diagnosis, they utilize a variety of therapies and treatments according to the individual’s injuries or conditions. Chiropractors will frequently use spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to rehabilitate the spine back into its natural alignment, decreasing the stress and pressure of the tissues around the affected region and reducing the irritation, inflammation, ultimately helping eliminate whiplash headaches and other symptoms. Additionally, a chiropractor may recommend a series of exercises to strengthen the body and speed up the rehabilitation process.

Cervicogenic Headaches and Chiropractic

When you or a loved one is experiencing whiplash headaches and other symptoms as a result of an auto accident, the pain and discomfort can be debilitating, greatly altering your lifestyle and finding relief becomes crucial. Chiropractic care is an effective treatment option for headaches and whiplash and regularly following through with your treatment plan will have tremendous benefits on your body, ultimately eliminating those impairing headaches.

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.elpasochiropractorblog.com

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

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