You may have felt it before: That sudden strain of the neck, often followed by a sharp or tearing pain. Whiplash can happen for a variety of reasons, and can put a lot of stress on your neck and spine.
But, what exactly causes whiplash?
At Yashar Neurosurgery, we want you to have the best answers and most accurate information available. neck may be, read on to help you stay on top of your symptoms.
If you need to come in for a consultation, our friendly neurosurgery staff members are always here to help. Don’t ignore your neck or spine pain – let us take a look at it! Read below to find out what causes whiplash, what some of the common symptoms of whiplash are, and what can be done to treat it.
Neck and spine pain should never be ignored, contact Yashar Neurosurgery today if you are in need of a spine doctor in Beverly Hills.
Sources of Whiplash
Whiplash most commonly occurs during a car accident, but it can happen when any kind of jerking motion is triggered.
This extreme form of neck strain is defined when a sudden impact causes the head to jerk forward, which tears the tendons and muscles in the neck and spine. This can be a painful and terrifying experience, one that should be tended to right away in order to prevent permanent injury.
Whiplash can either cause the neck to strain, or it can cause it to sprain. There are a few differences between these two events, and they are usually categorized by what becomes torn when the neck is damaged. For example, if whiplash causes the neck to tear the ligaments and tissues that connect to the muscles and bones, it is likely a sprain. A strain is a lesser version of this tearing, but can still cause just as much pain.
Symptoms of WhiplashSymptoms of WhiplashWhiplash is often one of those ailments where it may be hard to describe, but you know it when you have it. There are a lot of different types of neck pains and strains that can be associated with whiplash.
Generally, the symptoms of whiplash are as follows:
● Decreased ability to move or turn the neck
● Pain and tightness in the neck and shoulders
● Knotted, tight, or hard muscles around the neck
● Inability to (or extreme pain when trying to) move your head to look over your shoulders
● Large headaches that start at the base of the skull and can reach all the way to the forehead
● Immediate or growing pain in the neck and surrounding areas
Again, some of the symptoms may vary depending on the cause and location of the whiplash. However, if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms after a sudden jolt to the head, you should seek treatment right away.
Treatments for Whiplash
Fortunately, whiplash is not usually a permanent or long-lasting ailment. It can be treated and cured in a variety of different ways.
If, for some reason, you do not have access to your doctor right away, there are a couple of things you can do at home to ease and reduce the pain. These at-home treatments include:
● Wearing a neck brace or collar to support your neck. This can be used on a short-term basis, or as recommended by a doctor.
● Taking some light painkillers, or other medicines as recommended by a doctor. Aleve and ibuprofen can provide some pain-relieving effects.
● Apply ice to the neck, which will reduce immediate pain and swelling right away. Try applying ice for 10-15 minutes, every 4 hours, for a few days.
● Seek out therapeutic and professional massages to ease tension and strain in your neck and surrounding muscles.
Spine Doctor in Beverly Hills
If your symptoms of whiplash are getting worse, or if you are worried about sustaining damage to your neck and shoulders, you should schedule a consultation with Yashar Neurosurgery right away. Dr. Parham Yashar is experienced in neurosurgery and the top spine doctor in Beverly Hills. He can provide you with more information about how to treat your whiplash symptoms. For any questions, you can contact us online to see our full range of services. To schedule an appointment, call one of our friendly assistants at (424) 361-0923 today.
