How Long Does It Take to Heal From Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your head moves backward and forward suddenly with a lot of force. It happens when the ligaments and muscles of your neck stretch beyond their usual range of motion.

Whiplash tends to cause long-term discomfort and pain. Ideally, you should know how long it will take to heal from the injury after undergoing treatment.

Causes of Whiplash

Whiplash develops when your neck muscles strain due to the rapid backward and forward movement. Your neck ligaments and tendons tear due to the stretching resulting from the sudden movement.

Below are some of the causes of whiplash:
 

• Car collisions
   

• A heavy blow to your head
   

• Physical abuse
   

• Falls or collisions
   

• Horseback riding
   

• Contact sports
   

Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash symptoms occur within the first 24 hours after the incident that caused the injury. You can also experience symptoms after a few days of the incident. They can also last for some weeks.

Below are some of the common whiplash symptoms and the rare ones associated with chronic whiplash:
 

• Neck stiffness and pain
   

• Constant fatigue
   

• Headaches
   

• Blurred vision
   

• Dizziness
   

• Memory or concentration problems
   

• Poor sleep quality
   

• Tinnitus or ringing in your ears
   

• Chronic neck, head, and shoulder pain
   

• Irritability

Treatment

Your doctor will begin by making a diagnosis to start treatment. They will ask you how the incident happened, what part of your body you feel the pain, and the nature of the pain—whether it is dull, sharp, or shooting.

They can also do a physical examination to check where you feel the tenderness and your range of motion. You can go through imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans. Doing so will help your doctor assess any inflammation or damage to your nerves, spinal cord, or soft tissues. It also helps check whether you have a brain injury.

Whiplash treatments are not complex. Your doctor is likely to prescribe over-the-counter pain medication. You may also receive muscle relaxants to help reduce the spasms of the muscles. Another form of treatment is using heat or ice on the injured part.

Recovery

Most whiplash patients benefit from physical therapy for their recovery. Your medical doctor can recommend a specialist such as one at The Spine Clinic to help you during healing. The process may include practicing the correct posture and exercises to make your neck flexible and build its strength. You will also learn various relaxation techniques to relieve your neck muscle from straining to help you heal.

Your doctor may give you a foam collar to keep the neck stable. Try not to wear it for more than three hours consistently to avoid slowing down your healing. Use it for the first days after the whiplash injury.

You can use other alternative aftercare remedies, such as chiropractic care and massages. Acupuncture and electrical nerve stimulation also help during the recovery period. It is ideal to follow your doctor's recommendations for the best recovery experience.

How Long Will It Take to Heal?

Whiplash healing can vary from one person to another. Every individual is different. The whiplash injury you get varies depending on the incident and the nature and extent of your injury. But according to research, most patients feel better after two to three months.

For more on whiplash, visit The Spine Clinic at our office in Salem, Oregon. You can also call (503) 362-5555 to book an appointment today.