Orange County Whiplash Injury Lawyer

Doctors diagnose whiplash by asking the patient about the symptoms and causal events. In addition, physicians need to understand the severity of the symptoms, whether constant or intermittent and what worsens or improves them. 

For instance, does certain activity exacerbate the symptoms? The physician will perform an examination. They will check your head, neck, and arms for the following:

• The range of motion in your neck and shoulders
• Degree of motion that causes pain
• Neck, shoulder, and back tenderness
• Limb reflexes

Imaging tests provide no evidence of whiplash, but your doctor will likely order some routine diagnostics to rule out other conditions. Possible imaging tests after a whiplash injury include the following:

• X-rays
• CT Scan
• MRIs

Whiplash Treatment

Doctors engage in goal-oriented treatment for whiplash. Therapy is aimed at the following results:

• Control pain
• Restore normal range of motion
• Get patients back to normal activities

Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments to control pain:

• Rest
• Heat therapy
• Ice therapy
• OTC medications
• Prescription painkillers
• Muscle relaxants
• Lidocaine injections

Exercises also help reduce pain, speed healing, and restore normal function. Doctors often recommend specific exercises to treat whiplash symptoms, including the following:

• Neck rotations
• Side-to-side head tilts
• The neck bends toward the chest
• Shoulder rolls

Many whiplash injuries also benefit from physical therapy. For example, a physical therapist helps with an exercise plan and performing therapeutic motions that enhance flexibility, increase strength, and speed up the healing process. Physical therapy for whiplash often includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS machines deliver a mild electric current to the skin. Practitioners believe it eases neck pain while improving muscle strength. 

The length of physical therapy treatment varies based on the injury and person. For example, a young patient with minor whiplash may need only a few sessions; however, an elderly patient with severe whiplash often requires extended physical therapy. Foam collars provide another treatment option. They keep the neck still so it can better heal and reduce pain. They also help whiplash sufferers sleep. Without the collar, the natural neck bending while sleeping can cause pain and wake the person throughout the night.

Some studies indicate the collars should only be used sparingly or for long periods. As with a brace, the collar helps reduce pain in the short term but may result in muscle atrophy that interferes with recovery over time. Your doctor will advise on the use of foam collars.