One of the most common injuries that can result from a car accident in Tampa – or anywhere – is whiplash. It happens so much in car accidents due to the severe impact from the collision and the back and forth jerking motion it causes to the neck. This sudden force can tear and stretch the tendons and muscles in your neck, causing pain and stiffness long after the wreck.
If you’ve been injured in a Tampa Bay car crash recently, we urge you to visit the experts at Sea Change Wellness Chiropractic for a full exam. Our car crash chiropractors can identify the most common car accident injuries and will provide treatment that leads to relief. Whether you’re suffering from whiplash or another injury, we’ll pinpoint exactly what’s wrong and map out a plan to recovery.
Unfortunately, whiplash isn’t an injury that will go away quickly without proper treatment. Our chiropractors can provide adjustments for quick relief, but a full recovery requires care to be taken at home as well.
Here’s how you can care for your whiplash at home after suffering an automobile accident injury:
- Ice Is Your Friend
As soon as the chiropractor sends you home, you should begin an icing regimen. This will help to reduce both the pain and swelling associated with this injury. Your daily icing regimen should include 15-20 minutes of dedicated icing every four hours for the first two to three days after injury. Don’t give yourself an ice burn – use a soft cloth or towel to wrap your ice pack before applying it to the back of the neck.
- Treat The Pain With Your Medicine Cabinet
After speaking with your doctor, you may want to utilize anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen to ease the discomfort. These medications will help reduce the pain and swelling of the whiplash injury. Keep in mind that you should not use these medications regularly unless your doctor gives you specific instructions. They have side effects and should be taken with caution. If these medications do not work, talk to your doctor about muscle relaxants.
- Consider A Brace
If your doctor recommends extra support for the neck during recovery, use a neck brace or collar. These can be found at most pharmacies and can ease a lot of tension in the neck while you heal. Be cautious in using this longer than recommended, as it can actually weaken your neck’s muscles.
- Healing with Heat
After your first few days of icing, you may switch to gentle heat. Simply make sure your initial swelling has gone down. For this, use warm damp towels or soak in a warm bath.
- Massage Benefits
Still experiencing pain? Many people benefit from massage therapy as a means to recover from whiplash. The Sea Change Wellness office offers this to our patients who may need additional treatment.
If you think you may have suffered a whiplash injury from a Tampa car accident, call your local car accident chiropractors at Sea Change Wellness Chiropractic. Our experts will help you find relief in no time.
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