When will my whiplash pain go away?

 

Whiplash injuries can result in serious permanent damage. It is extremely important that the treating physician is up to date with the latest research as well as treatment protocols. This will not only help the patient recover as soon as possible but with the least amount of residual damage as well.

Whiplash symptoms from a car accident can cause you pain right away. But pain and symptoms sometimes can take 10 days to even 8 weeks before you feel them. This can make whiplash complicated to support from an insurance standpoint. Often patients think they are not injured after a car accident because they do not have any symptoms or  they are " a little sore" after the accident. Then 2 weeks later you wake up and can barely move your neck, or you find you are have constant headaches, or worst. 
Whiplash Symptoms Can Include

• Neck pain and stiffness (often in the front of your neck too)
• Headaches, often at the base of the skull
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Ringing in the ears
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Emotional upset- from fear, to crying to anger, unexpectedly
• Speech changes
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Memory problems
• Concussion

So, how long will my symptoms last?

In order to answer that we need to look at a few things. The first is the severity of the injury.  Dr. Croft, one of the leading researchers in the field, found that there are 5 Grades of Severity of Neck Injuries:

 

Grade 1: Minimal limitation ROM

 

Grade 2: Slight limitation ROM, no neurological findings.

 

Grade 3: Moderate limitation ROM, some ligamentous injury and neurological findings.

 

Grade 4; Moderate to Severe limitation ROM, ligamentous instability, neurological findings or disc derangement

 

Grade 5: Severe, requires surgical treatment and stabilization

 

Most researchers agree that for grade 2 and below symptoms can last up to 12-14 weeks without proper care and often result in some form of permanent damage. With corrective chiropractic care symptoms typically show a 80% reduction by week two of care, and are stabilized within 8-10 weeks with minimal residuals.

 

Grade 3 almost always results in permanent damage without corrective chiropractic care. With care symptoms show significant reduction within 2-3 weeks with resolution usually within 12-16 weeks.

 

Grade 4 again, symptoms reduced within 2-3 weeks, stabilization within 14-18 weeks with chiropractic care. Residual disabilities are anticipated.

 

For more information on injuries resulting from car accidents visit our website Car Crash Specialist.  

 

 

Or call our office to schedule a consultation with one of our specialist at 925 685-2002.