Why Do the Symptoms of Whiplash Sometimes Take a While to Show Up?

Whiplash is a common injury that occurs as a result of car accidents or other forceful occurrences in which the head and neck are subjected to sudden back-and-forth movements. We hear all too often that a victim didn’t have pain until days after the accident. You might have heard that you should never say you’re okay immediately after an accident—that’s because the symptoms of whiplash in Naples, FL often take a while to show up.

This is because whiplash is actually an injury of a structure that doesn’t feel pain: ligaments. Healthy ligaments keep the bones aligned and moving right. Injured ligaments fail to do this, which is what actually causes pain. Over time, this leads to arthritis and deformity, which is what we as chiropractors seek to avoid by keeping the joints moving. At our office, we also have a unique therapy which targets the ligaments and heals them more quickly. If you’re looking for a whiplash chiropractor, call Hiler Chiropractic & Neurology.

HOW WHIPLASH AFFECTS YOU

When your neck is violently shaken back and forth, it causes the neck muscles to flex and extend. This damages the muscles, but also the spinal discs, vertebrae and ligaments. This can result in neck pain and stiffness, severe headaches, dizziness, difficulty focusing, fatigue and pain or numbness in the arms or hands. In some cases, untreated whiplash can even lead to brain injury. Since the symptoms take a while to show up, the actual cause of the pain may not be immediately obvious.

WHY SYMPTOMS TAKE A WHILE TO SHOW UP

After an accident, paramedics will nearly always ask patients if they’re experiencing any back, neck or shoulder pain—but the pain may not present itself immediately. This is due to adrenaline, which masks the pain to allow the body to function until the danger has passed. Whiplash in Naples, FL can take several days to fully set in. New symptoms may present as the muscles, discs and ligaments settle back into place.

A doctor’s visit is critical after a car accident for a number of reasons, but not all of the damage may show up on an x-ray or MRI. If you find yourself with symptoms of whiplash, visit both your chiropractor immediately so that you can create an individual treatment plan.

With proper care, most minor whiplash injuries heal between six and nine months from the date of the injury.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT FOR WHIPLASH IN NAPLES, FL

If you are looking for a chiropractor to treat your whiplash pain in Naples, FL, you’ve found the right place for your health needs. Since 1998, Hiler Chiropractic & Neurology has been dedicated to helping patients recover from whiplash and more. We have comprehensive programs if you sustained injuries in an auto accident. To learn more about the many health benefits of chiropractic treatment, please explore our website or give us a call at 239-330-1000. We look forward to working with you to get you feeling your best again!