Whiplash


Whiplash is a term that describes a neck injury caused by a sudden movement of the head forwards, backwards or sideways.  It often occurs after a sudden impact such as in car accidents but can also occur while playing sports when yopu are hit in the face or the back of the head.  


Common symptmos of whiplash are:


  • neck pain and stiffness
  • tenderness over the neck muscles
  • reduced and painful neck movements
  • headaches


After an accident or inuury, it can take up to 12 hours for the symptoms of whiplash to develop.  The neck pain and stiffness is often worse on the day after the injury and may get worse for several days afterwards.  


Treating Whiplash


If you have been diagnosed with whiplash it is better to move your neck rather than keeping it still using a neck collar.  Your neck may be painful but keeping it mobile from an early stage will improve its functionality and speed recovery.  Whiplash that lasts for six months is called chronic whiplash and may need more aggressive treatment.    Lastly,  whiplash can be a serious condition and should be evauluated by a medical professional immediately.  At that point the serious can be determined and a treatment plan can be tailored to your condition.  

 

            Over 80% of people will experience some form of back pain in their lives.  Most episodes of pain will resolve on their own whe the cause is a simple muscle strain or bruise.  A ligamentous sprain might cause a more severe type of pain and usually requires some form of medical intervention to get relief.  Disrupted ligaments, strained muscles and disc problems eith bulging or herniated will cause a prolonged form of pain and requires either chiropractic, medical and or interventional pain treatment.  Pain that last longer than three months is considered to be chronic and pain that is as a result of a recent injury is considered Acute.

Chronic Pain 


  • Arthritis
  • Old injuries
  • Old Disc Bulge/Herniations
  • work related/overuse injuries

 Acute Pain


  • Recent Injury/Accident
  • Swelling and Redness
  • limitation of movement
  • pain

Treatment Options


For most episodes of pain home care for an acute injury should be to isolate the area of complaint, apply ice to any areas of swelling and redness and rest the affected area.   While for a chronic condition you would generally use heat and some exercises added with some over the counter pain reliever.   If your symptoms last more that a couple days or they are progressively getting worse seek medical attention and if you have sustained any type of trauma quick medical care is the best thing you can do!!!

   

Union City Spine and Pain Associates,LLC

510 43Rd Street, Union City, New Jersey 07087

​201-866-2130

Varinder Dhillon, M.D. - Interventional Pain Management Physician

​Anthony Narciso, D.C. - Chiropractic Physician