If you’ve gotten injured in a car accident or at work, you might have some neck pain. This could be whiplash. Whiplash occurs when your neck snaps forward and backward, or backward and forward. A NY medical practice can treat this condition.
Diagnosing Whiplash
If you have neck pain, stiffness dizziness, ringing in your ears, or other symptoms of whiplash, your doctor will order diagnostic testing. Whiplash is often accompanied by soft tissue injuries, so your doctor will need to get the full picture before beginning treatment. This could include X-rays, an MRI, and a CT scan.
Cervical Facet Injections
Your doctor might recommend a cervical facet injection to alleviate the pain caused by whiplash. First, the doctor will use a fluoroscope to identify the facet joint. Then, your doctor will use a needle to inject the steroid into the joint. The injection usually alleviates pain within a few days and can last for several months. Some people need more injections in the future if the pain presents again.
Medications
You might go home with some medications after seeing a NY whiplash injury doctor. If your symptoms include muscle spasms, muscle relaxers might be prescribed. In some cases, you also might need pain relievers, although over-the-counter medications are usually sufficient.
Physical Therapy
Whiplash can reduce your range of motion. That can get in the way of participating in your normal activities and can even keep you home from work. Your doctor might send you to physical therapy to restore your range of motion.
Physical therapy consists of a series of exercises you will do in the office and at home. Your therapist also might use a TENS unit to alleviate the pain. This unit sends a mild electric current to the affected area. The small electric pulses reduce pain. Manual massage is also used to decrease pain and improve the range of motion.
Cervical Collar
A cervical collar might be needed to stabilize your neck and protect it from additional injuries. There are two types of cervical collars. One is soft, and the other is rigid. You will likely need a soft collar if you have whiplash. This collar won’t completely prevent you from moving your neck, but it will restrict movement. You’ll need to wear the collar at day and night for a specific length of time. Before you finish wearing the collar, your doctor might want to see you again to examine you to ensure that your symptoms are getting better.
At-Home Care
Your doctor will also instruct you about at-home care. You will need to ice your neck for the first 24 hours to reduce inflammation. You will also need to restrict your activities after your neck injury. Your doctor will give you a schedule for resuming your activities.
Don’t Suffer in Silence
Whiplash is painful enough on its own. However, people who experience whiplash often have other injuries, as well. Visit a NY medical practice for a thorough examination. If you have whiplash, your doctor will treat you for it. Also, if your examination reveals other injuries, your doctor will treat you for them, as well.
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