Whiplash and Neck Pain from Auto Accident Injuries
Are you suffering from neck injuries and whiplash sustained from an auto accident?
In an auto accident, the head and neck are often not secure during impact and more susceptible to injuries. Force travels through the body to the head and neck causing it to jolt and/or whip. This puts severe strain on the muscles and connective tissues of the neck and spine that can result in various types of injuries. In more severe auto accidents, a trip to the ER will help to assess the injury and rule out serious structural damage such as fractures and spinal cord trauma. After assessing the severity of injury, a course of care is determined. More often than not the patient needs physical rehabilitation to facilitate healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and regain range of motion and strength, even if the severity of injury is relatively low. Providers at Radius Clinic are trained to help you take the right steps in physical rehabilitation and pain management by performing an in-depth physical examination, providing an accurate diagnosis, and determining an appropriate treatment plan to make sure you get the help you need.
Symptoms of neck Injuries caused by auto accidents
Whiplash
Whiplash is a type of injury that results in a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and neck, similar to the motion of a whip. Whiplash is most commonly caused by rear-end collisions but can occur from other sudden movements that jar the head and neck. Most people who suffer from whiplash will get better with rest, medication, and moderate exercise. However, some may need additional help and guidance to regain strength and mobility. Assessment by a skilled professional can help determine the best course of care for your case and you get the whiplash treatment and therapy you need.
Strains
A neck (or cervical) strain occurs when muscles and/or tendons of the neck become stretched beyond their normal range causing them to tear (partially or completely). Strains can be mild or severe. Sometimes damaged muscles can cause spasms (severe muscle cramping and tightness), which can be very painful and reduce your ability to turn and move your head and neck. Some neck muscles that can become strained include the trapezius muscles, which connect the back to the head and upper shoulders, and the sternocleidomastoids, which run from behind the jaw down either side of the neck to the collarbone.
Strains can also occur in deeper cervical muscles. Cervical refers to the neck area. Deep cervical muscles surround and attach to the vertebrae (vertebrae is the name for the bones of your spine) in your neck and at the base of your skull. They provide important structural support for your spine. Damage to them can cause significant pain and limit the mobility of your head and neck.
Strains can produce a number of different pain symptoms including a stabbing pain, a throbbing pain, muscle spasms, or a pain that increases with movement. Strains also cause inflammation, which can increase the time it takes to heal and lead to more discomfort. Inflammation can aggravate nerves in your neck, which are very sensitive structures, causing further pain and symptoms that may even radiate to your arms or hands.
Sprains
Similar to strains, a sprain occurs when a ligament becomes stretched beyond its normal limit, or torn (partially or completely). Unlike tendons, which connect muscles to bone, ligaments connect from one bone to another bone. When the ligaments that connect vertebrae are damaged the resulting pain and inflammation can be serious. As with strains, sprains can result in a variety of pain symptoms and may require treatment from a trained professional to ensure a complete recovery.
Herniated Discs
Between your vertebrae are small “bone spacers” of cartilage known as discs. Each disc has tough outer rings of collagen, the same material that forms the body’s ligaments and tendons. Inside these hoops of collagen, each disc contains a gel called the nucleus. Within its collagen “pocket” each nucleus is pressurized, which gives it the ability to carry load down the spine and bend - think of a car tire who’s internal air pressure allows it to support the weight of the car. During a sudden violent or traumatic movement, the thick, tough outer part of the disc (the annulus) tears, causing the soft inner material (the nucleus) to leak out. This not only causes a severe inflammatory response but can also apply pressure on nearby nerves resulting in feelings of mild or severe pain, numbness or tingling, and in severe cases loss of bodily function or control.
Although the stakes are high with these injuries, with the right tools and expertise, a complete recovery is possible most of the time. It can take time, but with proper guidance from a trained professional the determined individual can recover sensation, mobility, strength, and return to their daily activities and hobbies.
Sometimes, herniated discs can resolve on their own and sometimes they can become worse. If they are unresolved and untreated they have the potential to cause permanent nerve damage, which results in a loss of sensation in certain areas, and/or a loss of bodily control or function. If you are experiencing ongoing pain in your spine (in your neck, mid, or low back), tingling, numbness, or weakness call our office for an in-depth examination to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and pain, and provide the care you need to recover.
Neck Fracture
If you fracture one of your cervical vertebrae during a car accident, you will likely know right away. Do not move. Seek immediate medical attention, and only let trained medical professionals move you or touch you. Fractured vertebrae can result in permanent damage to the spinal cord and/or related nerves, which can result in paralysis or even death. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to stabilize the fractured vertebra.
Cervical collar immobilization may be another option for unstable neck fractures. Physical rehabilitation is recommended after the fracture heals to improve the strength, range of motion, and stability of the cervical spine following a period of immobilization.
Diagnosis
If you suffer severe acute trauma in an automobile accident, you will likely be taken or sent to a hospital for various imaging tests like x-rays, CT scan, or MRI. The severity of your presenting signs, symptoms, and injuries will determine if this level of diagnostic testing is necessary.
Radius diagnoses neck injuries you may sustain in an automobile accident, whether your injury requires physical rehabilitation or not. We have the training and tools needed to conduct a thorough physical examination, which will isolate your problem(s) and initiate the formulation of your treatment plan. We also have resources available for scheduling diagnostic tests, if we cannot perform them in-house, and a network of providers to refer you to if need be. As soon as you are able, come to Radius for an accurate diagnosis and take your first steps to full recovery.
Treatment
Treatment can vary based on the severity of the sustained injuries. In extreme cases, severe auto accidents may require treatment from an Emergency Room. Often ER diagnosis is followed by mitigation of swelling (or inflammation), to protect the nerves in the spinal column and other tissues. If surgery is required, it is generally scheduled and performed immediately. Later, immobilization devices and medication are prescribed, and the patient receives instruction on how to care for himself/herself going forward. Physical rehab is often a crucial component of care instructions.
Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Physiatry, Osteopathic treatment and Sports Therapy are all options to help patients recover full strength and range of motion following a neck or whiplash injury. The spine is essential to everyday life and activity; complying with your provider’s recovery plan is critical for your long-term vitality and quality of life. Even minor collisions can influence the recovery of normal function. The largest and most difficult part of that recovery will happen in the early stages of treatment making it essential to seek the right guidance for this portion of your care.
Visit Radius Physical + Sports Rehab for Whiplash and Neck Injuries
If you live in the Northern California counties of Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, or Sacramento, call or stop by one of our locations in Grass Valley or Roseville. Radius is a physical rehab and chiropractic clinic that employs certified experts in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and we treat victims of automobile accidents suffering from whiplash, neck strains and sprains, herniated discs, or other related conditions. We have helped countless patients recover from devastating injuries, many of whom regained 100% of their strength and mobility. We would love to do the same for you. Call or stop by our office for an initial consultation. We look forward to meeting you!
We have locations in Roseville and Grass Valley.