Guide To Whiplash Warning Signs

Whiplash can be a very serious injury that usually occurs during a car accident. This type of injury is brought about by rapid back and forth neck movements that take place over a very short period. When this injury occurs in a car accident, it will typically result from a rear-end accident. Individuals might also suffer from whiplash because of various types of trauma, physical abuse, or a sports accident that caused their neck to move rapidly. It's important to understand whiplash is somewhat unique in that the symptoms of the condition don't occur immediately. They can also become progressively worse over time, which means a slight ache in the neck could lead to a loss of its range of motion. The most effective forms of treatment for whiplash center around pain management that aims to reduce the pain patients are experiencing until it hopefully subsides entirely. These pain management techniques extend from the application of heat and cold to muscle relaxants. In order to receive the necessary treatment before the pain worsens, it's important to know what warnings signs to look for.

Loss Of The Neck's Range Of Motion

Among the most significant warning signs of whiplash is a loss of the neck's range of motion. The range of motion in the neck refers to the degree at which an individual is able to move their neck and the joints within. When individuals lose this range of motion, they'll likely notice their neck has become stiffer and more difficult to move without experiencing discomfort. This loss of the neck's range of motion can be attributed to various factors, some of which are less severe than others. If the whiplash injury was minor, it's possible patients could suffer from neck stiffness because of the rapid movements. This stiffness will invariably reduce the range of motion in the neck. However, this warning sign could also point towards an injury, tear, or stretch of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck. If this injury affects the muscles and tendons, the neck has likely been strained, which will result in a loss of the neck's range of motion. An injury to the ligaments is known as a sprain. While an individual's neck could lose its range of motion for any number of reasons, whiplash is likely the cause if they've recently been in a car accident or sports accident.

Keep reading to reveal more symptoms of whiplash now.