Whiplash is a condition commonly seen after a car accident. The complication arises when the vehicle comes to an abrupt stop. The law of physics mandates that the body will continue moving forward until something makes contact to bring it to a stop. In most instances, the stopping force is the seat belt. That sudden jerk snaps the head back again and that can cause the neck muscles to take a beating. The result is long lasting pain, known as whiplash.
Because it is a common complaint of car accident victims, physicians in St. Petersburg are prepared to treat it. However, it is not always easy to cure the patients of the damage done. If not corrected, whiplash injuries can become chronic. Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options available to those suffering the impact.
Medications for Whiplash Injuries
Once the primary source of relief, medications remain a popular way to treat the pain and inflammation commonly seen in whiplash patients. There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription-strength drugs that can go a long way in reducing the symptoms of the neck condition.
- Prescription Pain Killers and NSAIDs. The biggest complaint of whiplash patients, obviously, is the pain. This is the primary reason that physicians will quickly prescribe medication. There are a number of pain killers that may be ordered. The most common of those are in the NSAID family. These are anti-inflammatory drugs that will contend with the pain and the swelling that result.
- Muscle Relaxants. After a serious bout of whiplash, a person is likely to contend with muscle spasms that can greatly increase pain and reduce the ability to move the neck properly. Muscle relaxants force the muscle spasms under control.
- Lidocaine Injections. Another option is an injection of numbing medication directly to the source of the pain. These are injected into the inflamed muscles and can greatly reduce the discomfort of patients.
Alternative Treatments for Whiplash Injuries
Today, more so than ever before, doctors are recommending less conventional forms of treatment after car accidents. There are a number of facilities in the Pinellas area offering corrective therapies including physical therapy, massage treatments, chiropractic are, and acupuncture techniques.
- Physical Therapy. Considered to be the most conventional of the non-medication treatments, this involves a hands-on approach to easing aches and pains, as well as re-training the muscles once healed. Physical therapists rely on a wide array of processes, including massage, ultrasound, heat and ice therapy, stretching, chiropractic adjustment, and exercise routines.
- Massage. There are a number of different types of massage treatments available, but all work to ease muscle strain, thereby reducing spasms and promoting healing.
- Chiropractic Care. This is a treatment that involves manual manipulation of the muscles and skeletal system in order to relieve joint tenderness and ease muscle spasms.
- Acupuncture. This involves the use of tiny needles to ease spasms in the muscles, as well as to promote proper energy flow and healing.
Unfortunately, these treatments can often be very costly, which is a difficult realization to come to after a car accident causes thousands of dollars of damage to one’s vehicle. If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help a person collect damages to help cover the costs of medical care and vehicle repair. So, after an accident, get the emergency medical help that you need, and then be sure to contact your lawyer as soon as possible.