Whiplash Injury

Retraining muscles after a motor vechicle accident will prevent future injury.

One of the most common injuries that occur during car accidents is Whiplash. Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury of the neck that is caused by overstretching of the muscles, ligaments, and spine during impact.   Most people find it very painful and need medical attention.

Patients who suffer from whiplash can expect neck pain, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headaches, ringing in your ears, pain in your shoulder, mid and lower back.  Most of these signs and symptoms will go away quickly.  Yet neck pain and stiffness typically last about 4-8 weeks.  To prevent permanent damage or prevent future neck problems, it is highly suggested you visit a medical professional if you experience a whiplash injury due to a car accident.

Chiropractic care is one of many options available for the treatment of whiplash after a motor vehicle accident.

Chiropractic Care- Chiropractic care is an excellent treatment for whiplash.  Your chiropractor will use gentle spinal manipulation, soft tissue techniques (such as myofascial release, deep tissue massage, etc), ice, stretching, and rehabilitation to correct misalignments of the spine and heal the ligaments, tendons, and muscle damage caused by your accident.

One of the first thing will do after visiting a chiropractor is get a cervical (neck) x-ray, so your provider can access if their is ligament damage or broken bones.  Once severe cases are ruled out, you can treat the soft tissue damage and joint dysfunction caused by your injury. Chiropractor are doctors, so you can go directly to them after an accident.

Physical Therapy– PT is an effective way to treat whiplash.  PTs treat similarly to chiropractors.  They typically focus more on rehabilitation of muscles and usually do not adjust your spine.  PTs are not doctors, so you will need an physician referral to receive treatment.

Massage Therapy– massage therapist can provide relief by reducing muscle inflammation and damage.  Massage therapist are not medical doctors, so please visit a physician or chiropractor before you go to your therapist to rule out fractures, and other serious side effects from car accidents.

Medical Treatment- Visiting your medical doctor may be necessary after a car accident.  Physicians can prescribe anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxers to reduce pain and inflammation.

Legal Aid- In addition to the pain caused by motor vehicle accidents, many people have to deal with either their insurance company, or both the liability insurance and their own.  If you’ve been there, you know how frustrating this can be.  I suggest if you were hurt in a motor vehicle accident, you should consider hiring a Personal Injury attorney.  PI attorneys are professionals and are trained to act in your best interest.  Most will see you for a consultation, as well as, represent you at no cost.  They will work with your provider to make sure your medical costs are covered, so you can get well without worrying about money.

My recommendation for a PI attorney in Austin, Texas, is Jay Doyle with Kuhn, Doyle & Kuhn.