Risks of Not Receiving Treatment for Whiplash
Whiplash often goes undiagnosed as symptoms might not appear until days or weeks after the accident. At Total Health Chiropractic, we recommend visiting one of our chiropractors immediately after an accident resulting in neck pain or other symptoms. We can perform an examination and run diagnostic testing to uncover any hidden injuries like whiplash. Without swift whiplash treatment, you risk chronic complications that could affect your quality of life. Here is a look at some of the risks of not getting timely whiplash treatment in Chattanooga, TN.
Chronic Neck Pain and Stiffness
The most common complications that can occur due to lack of whiplash treatment are chronic neck pain and stiffness. Without treatment, your whiplash injury might not heal properly. If you have damaged structures in your neck, like damaged or injured soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or vertebrae, they may not heal on their own. This can lead to reduced range of motion in your neck, pain that worsens when you move your head or neck, and stiffness that can prevent you from working, sleeping, or enjoying your hobbies.
Nerve or Spine Damage
If you have an injury to your cervical vertebrae or nerves in your neck due to your whiplash injury, these injuries can get worse over time. A nerve injury can cause worsening nerve pain, or a burning, itching pain that radiates along the length of the nerve. This pain may feel like it is shooting from your neck to your shoulder, upper back, arm, or hand. You may also develop permanent damage to your cervical spine, which can affect your posture, mobility, and quality of life.
Cervicogenic Dizziness
Cervicogenic dizziness is a condition that can develop after an injury to the cervical spine or neck. Without treatment, you may experience worsening symptoms like vertigo, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, memory or concentration problems, headaches or migraines, irritability, and mood swings.
Neurological Symptoms
Depending on the extent of your whiplash injury, you may develop neurological symptoms related to nerve damage or head injury. These symptoms can include numbness or tingling in your upper back or arms, a pins and needles feeling in your shoulder or arm, muscle weakness, trouble holding or using objects. You might also develop psychological symptoms, such as mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.
Don’t Delay in Seeking Whiplash Treatment
If you are experiencing neck pain, stiffness, headaches or migraines, and other symptoms after a car accident, don’t ignore these symptoms. Visit us at Total Health Chiropractic for a comprehensive examination, diagnostic testing, and official whiplash diagnosis. We will design a personalized whiplash treatment plan that accelerates healing and rehabilitation, relieves neck pain and other symptoms, and reduces your risk of complications. Call us now to schedule an appointment, or request an appointment online to get whiplash treatment in Chattanooga, East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Hixson, Fort Oglethorpe, or Cleveland, TN.
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Chiropractic
Auto Injury