4 Ways To Deal With Whiplash

28 January 2019
 Categories: , Blog


Whiplash most commonly occurs after a car accident; however, whiplash can also occur from other types of accidents as well. For example, you can get whiplash following a skiing accident or a sledding accident. You can get whiplash from any accident where your head suddenly jerks either forward or backward and your neck is strained because of the motion.

If you think you are dealing with whiplash, there are some things you can do to help your neck and reduce the pain you feel.

#1 Put Some Ice On It

When you experience whiplash, the muscles and tendons in your neck are going to swell. One of the best ways to deal with this inflammation is by icing your neck. Take an ice pack or a bag of ice, wrap it in a towel, and apply it to your neck. Keep the ice there for around fifteen minutes. Repeat the icing process every couple of hours. If you do this the first couple of days following your injury, you should heal at a faster rate.

#2 Use Some Painkillers

Fight the swelling with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You can use an over-the-counter drug such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help with the pain. Take only as directed; don't overdo the pills just because you are in pain. If you are taking other medications, you should always consult with your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medication. You want to make sure the over-the-counter medication you are taking doesn't interfere with your prescriptions.

Also, the severity of whiplash can vary. If over-the-counter medication does not seem to be working, your doctor may prescribe some muscle relaxants instead to help with the healing process.

#3 Use Some Heat

After your neck has had a few days to heal, you can start to use some heat on your neck. For the first few days though, you should stick to icing your neck. After the first three days, you can use some heat on your neck, such as putting a warm wet towel around your neck or taking a relaxing bath.

#4 Get Some Professional Treatment

Whiplash can really strain the muscles in your neck and throw your neck out of whack. A chiropractor can provide therapeutic massage touches,  using the various instruments at their disposal. They can also make sure that your neck stays properly aligned as it heals, and make any necessary adjustments.

After you suffer a whiplash injury, remember to ice frequently for the first few days, then switch to warm moist heat. It's okay to take some over-the-counter painkillers to help with the pain. Remember to reach out and get some professional help with the healing process from a clinic, such as Aurora Chiropractic Clinic.


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