Whiplash Treatment in New Jersey

Whiplash Injury Treatment 

Stiffness or pain in your neck could be due to whiplash. This common injury impacts more than two million Americans annually, according to the RUSH University Medical Center. While the symptoms can impact your daily routine, whiplash treatment is available from the team at NJ Pain Care Specialists. 

Don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a pain management doctor in New Jersey if you sustain whiplash after a car accident, fall, or other type of trauma. Our staff can alleviate neck pain and loosen tight muscles so you can get back to your normal activities. 

Whiplash Overview

What Is Whiplash?

You’re probably familiar with the term whiplash but don’t fully understand what it means medically. This common musculoskeletal injury occurs when a sudden jolt throws your neck forward and back quickly. When this happens, your vertebrae fall out of alignment, and you may sustain damage to your neck muscles and surrounding soft tissue. 

What Causes Whiplash?

Any sudden bending of the neck and spine can cause whiplash. Most people associate this cervical spine injury with car accidents since the force of a collision is powerful enough to jerk your neck quickly. 

A study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention supports this thinking. Of the study’s reported 869,000 cervical spine injuries that stem from car collisions, 96.7% were whiplash or neck strains. While car accidents are certainly a common cause of whiplash, they’re not the only way to sustain this injury. 

People can require whiplash treatment by injuring their neck in the following ways:

• Rough contact sports like football or hockey
• Riding a rollercoaster
• Falling or hitting your head on a hard object

What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

One of the most common symptoms of whiplash is neck pain or stiffness. It’s possible for individuals to experience pain or in the back back of the head,shoulder  and upper arm pain .Other symptoms that may accompany whiplash injuries include:

• Decrease range of motion in the neck
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Disrupted sleeping patterns

Whiplash Treatment Options

Conservative Care:

Mild forms of whiplash often heal on their own, but you may face recurring symptoms several months after the injury. A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy finds that 50% of people who sustain a whiplash injury fully recover, while the other 50% report an ongoing disability. 

You can improve your chances of recovery by undergoing physical therapy or chiropractic care. This holistic whiplash treatment plan facilitates the recovery process. Physical therapists give you a series of exercises to build strength and stabilization in your spine.

Taking part in physical therapy can reduce your neck pain or stiffness and restore your range of motion. It’s important to work on certain exercises on your own to support your recovery. 

Pain Medications

Given that the most common symptoms of whiplash are pain in the neck, back, and arms, many people choose to treat whiplash with oral medications. Over-the-counter medicines can reduce pain so you can carry on with your daily routine. A doctor can recommend prescription painkillers or muscle relaxants, but you should only take these as directed to avoid building a dependence on them. 

At-Home Whiplash Treatments

Whether you experience the symptoms of whiplash after a sports injury, fender bender, or even riding an amusement park ride, you can treat them at home. The following conservative whiplash treatments can ease your pain and reduce inflammation:

• Heat and ice application: Place ice or a warm compress at the back of your neck to soothe irritated nerves and ease pain. Alternate these treatments throughout the day at your doctor’s recommendation.
• Adequate rest: Whiplash recovery requires ample rest for your body to heal the damaged tissue. Adjust your lifestyle so you’re not doing any strenuous activity during this period. Be mindful that too much rest can deter your progress, so stay active with light exercises like walking or stretching. 
• Neck brace: Stabilize your neck by wearing a brace after you experience whiplash symptoms. The foam brace will provide cushion and support to promote healing. 

Using a combination of these at-home treatments can provide relief from neck pain and stiffness due to whiplash. You can also seek further treatment through holistic chiropractic care or massage therapy. According to a study in the medical journal Injury, 93% of individuals with chronic whiplash symptoms report improvements after chiropractic treatments. 

Receive Personalized Treatment for Whiplash in New Jersey

Contact NJ Pain Care Specialists Today

Don’t wait to treat whiplash; your symptoms could worsen. Meet with the staff at NJ Pain Care Specialists for a customized whiplash treatment plan that works for you. Call (732) 720-0247 to schedule a consultation with our healthcare professionals. 

Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Whiplash Usually Last?

Low-grade whiplash may last a few days. Severe whiplash injuries can take several weeks or months to heal and may even lead to chronic pain.

Does Whiplash Get Worse Overnight?

Whiplash symptoms may worsen overnight after an accident. Often, symptoms don’t appear until 12 to 24 hours after the injury. 

What Aggravates Whiplash?

Too much rest can worsen whiplash symptoms. Stay active for an effective whiplash treatment and recovery. 

In addition to whiplash, you might experience lower back pain after a car accident. Consult with NJ Pain Care Specialists to make a quick recovery after sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident.