Whiplash lasts anywhere from a few days to more than a year after an accident, according to studies conducted at the Cleveland Clinic. No matter how long the whiplash lasts, it can be an excruciating condition that people are anxious to get over.
If you have suffered an auto accident in Georgia and have whiplash, then you probably wonder when you will begin to feel better. Dealing with the pain and suffering from whiplash can be devastating for anyone, especially if you have an active job or life.
The amount of time whiplash lasts after a car accident in Georgia varies from person to person, as stated above. Some people will recover in a few days. Others take around three months to start to feel some relief, and 12 to 50 percent of people injured in a car accident suffer from whiplash for more than a year later.
What Is Whiplash?
You’ve probably heard of the term whiplash often, but what exactly does it mean and what is involved with having whiplash?
As presented by the Mayo Clinic, whiplash is a neck injury due to a sudden jerking motion that throws your upper body and head forward and then back again without your preparation for it. When you don’t know you’re going to be thrown forward so violently, the muscles in your neck have no time to tense up in protection of the action. Therefore, the full force of the motion throws your neck forward without anything holding it back or stopping it. The neck, shoulders, and head are thrown unnaturally forward.
The Symptoms of Whiplash
Getting into a car accident in Georgia is a traumatic event causing undue pain and suffering. You will probably have some pain and stiffness in various areas of your body if the impact was moderate to hard. However, if you do experience whiplash, you may have added problems.
The main symptom of whiplash is pain, but you can expect other problems as well, such as:
- Pain, stiffness, and fatigue in the neck, shoulders, upper part of the back, and/or arms
- A loss of range of motion in the affected areas, primarily the neck
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Numbness and/or tingling in the arms
- Headaches at the bottom of the skull
These are the most common symptoms, but some people may experience other problems such as blurry vision, depression, tinnitus, lack of concentration, sleeping problems, and mood swings. As you can see, these issues combined can make for quite a stressful load and cause you to wonder how long whiplash lasts after a car accident in Georgia.
The Main Causes of Whiplash
The leading causes of whiplash are auto accidents, as you can imagine. That is one of the few forces that will give your neck such a sudden jerk. Most whiplash injuries occur from someone hits the vehicle from behind.
What To Do if You Experience Whiplash From an Auto Accident
Many people may not notice symptoms until the very moment after a car accident. It really all depends on how severe the accident was. Of course, in extreme cases, people will be in severe pain right away. However, other times, people may not notice an excessive amount of pain in their neck region right away. It is common to have an instant headache, and you may think it will go away after a few hours. However, you may notice stiffness and increasing pain in a few hours.
It is crucial to take the proper steps after an auto accident in Georgia so you will not have complications or worsen your conditions. These steps include:
- Scheduling an appointment with a whiplash chiropractor specialist
- Write down any notes from the accident while it is fresh in your mind
- Seek the assistance of an attorney to get compensation for your damages
Contact Dominguez Chiropractic for Your Whiplash Injury
Get in touch with Dominguez Chiropractic to begin your healing process. Our experienced Chiropractic team will provide you with a comprehensive evaluation and help you recover damages, as well. We provide a full range of services to get you back on your feet again and feeling well.
From help with your auto repairs down to a referral for an accident attorney and everything in between, we manage it all for you. We know how traumatic an auto accident can be, and we want you to make a quick recovery. Our doctor on staff is ready to exam your whiplash injury and customize a therapy and treatment plan for you.
Find relief by scheduling an appointment with Dominguez Chiropractic today by contacting (404) 800-3000.