What Happens If You Leave Whiplash Untreated?

According to Mayo Clinic, if you do not receive treatment soon after you suffer from whiplash, you may be at risk of:

Chronic neck pain
Chronic stiffness that may arise without warning or predictability
Chronic insomnia
Chronic migraines
A limited range of motion in your neck
Limits on activities that you can do because of neck pain and stiffness

Whiplash is not an injury to be taken lightly, as it impacts some of the most important parts of your body, which can result in lifelong pain and physical limitation if it is not treated with thorough care.

Know the Symptoms of Whiplash and Seek Treatment for Them

Whiplash may occur after a sudden, violent motion affects your neck. Such rapid motion can lead to:

A strain on the soft tissue in your neck
A tear in the soft tissue in your neck
Damage to the nerves or bones in your neck and spine
Additional injury stemming from the violent motion of your head and neck

You are likely to feel some sort of discomfort initially after experiencing whiplash, but the most serious symptoms may not arise until 24 hours or more have passed. Some of the most common symptoms of whiplash include:

Moderate to severe pain in your neck
Dizziness and headaches or, in severe cases, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as concussion
A decline in your energy
Stiffness in your neck and shoulders that limits your ability to turn your head
Pain when you attempt to turn your head
Pain throughout your back, which could be the result of injury to your spine

You may experience additional symptoms directly caused by or correlated to whiplash. Whether these symptoms arise shortly after an accident or develop with time, it is important that you seek medical attention right away.

Whiplash Is Common to Car Accident Victims

Whiplash is an injury commonly associated with those who have been in a car accident, specifically those whose vehicle is struck from behind.

The rapid, unnatural motion of the head and neck forward and then back that can occur during a rear-end collision, or a variety of other car accidents may result in whiplash. In addition to car accidents, whiplash could arise from:

A physical altercation in which your neck, head, or both experience trauma
An injury sustained while playing sports or engaging in other strenuous activity
Any other incident where your head, neck, or both sustain a violent, unnatural motion

Regardless of the circumstances under which you develop symptoms characteristic of whiplash, do not ignore the symptoms or attempt to “tough it out.” More than half of subjects in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry study had symptoms of whiplash for at least a year after first experiencing them. If you do not seek treatment, you may also risk sustaining long-term effects of whiplash.

Have Your Symptoms Diagnosed and Treated at Once

If you have reason to believe that you may have suffered whiplash, especially if you have been in a car accident, you may be able to have your symptoms diagnosed and treated in a single location.

Particularly if you have been in an accident, you may be:

Without a vehicle or relying on a vehicle that needs to be repaired
Unable to work because of your injury
Dealing with one or more insurance companies
Considering legal action to cover your current and future expenses

In other words, you may not have the time or financial means to be going from a doctor to a chiropractor or to various other locations that you may need to visit after an accident. Fortunately, you do not have to.

Dominguez Chiropractic Is Your One-Stop Auto Injury Center

Whether or not you were in an auto accident, Dr. Barbara Dominguez will diagnose and provide treatment for your injuries. If you have been in an auto accident, the team at Dominguez Chiropractic will do even more, including:

Having an MD on our staff diagnose your injuries the same day that you visit
Providing treatment for your injuries
Assisting you in securing car repairs and ensuring that your vehicle is towed to a location where it can be repaired
Managing your insurance claims
Arranging for you to speak with a lawyer if you are considering taking legal action

Call Our Team at Dominguez Chiropractic Today

Leaving whiplash or any other injuries or pain untreated should not be an option, as it could leave you with a lifetime of pain. Dr. Barbara Dominguez and the team at Dominguez Chiropractic will take a personal approach to your pain and any other issues you have if you have been in an accident.

Call our team at Dominguez Chiropractic today at (404) 800-3000 for a free consultation.

Your Recovery
Is Our Priority

Dr. Dominguez is a highly regarded chiropractor in the Atlanta area. Her practice, Dominguez Chiropractic, specializes in helping victims of car accidents, job accidents, and sports accidents, as well as those who can benefit from nutritional consulting. Our team provides the best chiropractic solutions for all your pains and injuries, setting you on the path to a happier, healthier self.

What Happens If You Leave Whiplash Untreated?