Whiplash is a head and neck injury that happens when the soft tissues of your neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. Whiplash is a serious injury, but its symptoms aren’t immediately apparent – they could take several hours or days to develop. This is why most people forego medical evaluation after a whiplash.
Not visiting a family medicine provider after a whiplash could jeopardize your personal injury claim, let alone put your health at risk. Therefore, it’s important to see a family medicine provider after a whiplash injury for a thorough evaluation.
Let’s talk about how to determine your need to see a family medicine provider after a whiplash injury and where you can go for a thorough evaluation in Wellington, FL.
Look Out for Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash injury most commonly occurs during a car accident, but it can also be caused by sports accidents (mainly during contact sports), physical assault (such as a punch or shaking), and falls. So, after an event like this occurs, you must look out for any whiplash symptoms you may have, such as severe pain, stiffness, and headache.
Common symptoms of whiplash you must look out for are:
- Severe pain in the neck
- Neck stiffness
- Worsening of neck pain with movements
- Headache, mostly at the base of the skull
- Pain or tenderness in the arms, upper back, or shoulders
- Numbness, tingling in arms or shoulders
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbance
- Ringing in ears
- Irritability
- Depression
- The trouble with recalling past events
- Trouble concentrating
It’s important to understand that certain signs and symptoms of whiplash, like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or arms, could indicate a serious medical problem such as spinal nerve damage, and should be treated right away after medical evaluation.
You should see a family medicine provider after a whiplash injury, even if you don’t have neck pain or other symptoms. This way, you can ensure that you don’t have nerve damage or broken bone.
What Can a Family Medicine Provider Do for Your Whiplash Injury?
Your family medicine provider will discuss the severity of your pain and its location. You will also be evaluated for your range of motion, reflexes, and strength in your arms and hands.
Indeed, diagnostic imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs can’t show your whiplash injury, but these tests can determine if there is any other issue, such as broken bones and soft tissue injuries.
Following a thorough medical evaluation, your family medicine provider will make a treatment plan to:
- Control your pain and stiffness
- Restore your normal range of motion
- Get back safely to your normal activities
The treatment plan may involve:
- Pain management strategies, such as rest, heat or cold therapy, over-the-counter medications, muscle relaxants, prescription medications, and injections
- Exercise, such as rotating, rolling, bending, and tilting
- Foam Collars to limit neck movement
- Physical therapy
- Alternative medicine
Whiplash in Wellington, FL
If you or someone you love is suffering from whiplash following a car accident or physical trauma, don’t wait any longer and visit our primary care providers at Advanced Medical Clinic to seek treatment for whiplash. We are committed to delivering personalized and comprehensive care to people of all ages for their medical problems.
To schedule an appointment with one of our dedicated primary care providers, call us today at (561) 434-1935. You can also request an appointment online. We look forward to helping you!
