Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when sudden force or movement strains your neck or spine. It occurs mostly in motor vehicle crashes; however, it can also happen for other reasons. It is short-lived and treatable. However, some people experience pain or discomfort for months in severe cases. The most common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, low back pain, and trouble turning the head.
The following are some effective methods to treat whiplash injury and give you instant relief.
1. Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy plays a significant role in quicker recovery from whiplash injury. Physical therapy not only prevents long-term complications but also restores normal movement and reduces pain. The physical therapist will initially assess your condition and then come up with an adapted treatment plan for its effective management. They also give you point-specific exercises for healing and strengthening cervical musculature so that pain doesn’t get worse. Additionally, you can be educated to maintain good posture and work ergonomically to avoid future problems.
2. Pain Management Techniques
Pain management is vital to alleviate discomfort and stop the development of chronic pain after whiplash injury. Intervention with pain management techniques is significantly helpful for improving the recovery process. With exercises, neck massages, physical therapies, self-care measures, and prescribed medicine, you can manage your whiplash injury to a great extent. Some injections and pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol are also used for treating whiplash injury effectively. These pain treatment measures will speed up the recovery more effectively.
3. Seek Professional Whiplash Treatment
For accurate diagnosis of whiplash injury and ensuring a smooth return to normal activities, it is essential to seek professional whiplash treatment. If you have neck pain and other serious symptoms, check with a professional doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, ignoring or delaying treatment can lead to more severe pain and complicate your neck injury. A well-experienced healthcare provider offers whiplash treatment, helping the muscles to recover and become strong again. The doctor may perform an MRI or X-ray, and sometimes, in severe cases, surgical operations can also be considered for effective treatment.
4. Alternating Ice and Heat
Whiplash can cause muscle soreness, swelling, and strain in your back and neck. Alternating ice therapy with a heating pad can reduce inflammation and promote healing. Ice helps calm swelling and pain right after the injury. Heat treatment promotes blood flow and loosens stiff muscles. This alternating ice and heat is soothing, naturally relaxes your body, and generally restores the range of motion in your neck.
5. Use a Cervical Collar
To support and protect your neck and spinal cord, a cervical collar is used mainly in whiplash injury. A soft cervical collar reduces nerve root irritation and enhances neck stability. These collars are needed for pain relief, reducing muscle strain, and limiting motion in the cervical spine to promote healing. In the very early stages of whiplash injury, the short-term use of a cervical collar can prevent further injury and allow you to heal more comfortably.