Whiplash is a serious medical condition that is caused by a quick and intense impact to the neck or back. It’s usually caused by a rear-end auto collision but can also be the result of an injury caused by sports, falls, or other trauma. Whiplash can significantly impact a patient’s ability to function, so it’s important that people suffering from it seek whiplash treatment Hillsboro or quickly. Here are symptoms to look out for.
Neck Pain
The most common symptom of whiplash is neck pain, including tenderness and stiffness, caused by the strain the sudden impact has placed on the neck.
Limited Range of Motion
You may need whiplash treatment Hillsboro or if you find you are unable to turn your head as far as usual, or experience pain when trying to turn your head normally. This usually occurs within 24 hours of the impact.
Shoulder and Upper Back Pain
Constant or shooting pain in the shoulder or upper back area is also a common symptom of whiplash. This is usually treated by a combination of pain medication and physical therapy-style exercise.
Headaches
After an impact-bearing accident, you may need to seek whiplash treatment Hillsboro or if you find yourself suffering from headaches which generally emanate from the bottom of the skull.
Fatigue and Dizziness
Patients suffering from whiplash may find themselves feeling overly tired or dizzy. This is a concerning symptom, as it may indicate complications beyond whiplash which need to be diagnosed and addressed as soon as possible.
Less Common Symptoms
In some cases, whiplash patients suffer from such less common symptoms as ringing in the ears, concentration and memory problems, blurred vision, sleep disturbances and changes in mood.
The bottom line is that if you have experienced an accident or injury and have any of these symptoms, you need to be examined. Whiplash can be treated effectively, but lingering, untreated issues can complicate everyday life.
