Warning Signs of Whiplash

When your head forcefully flings forward and backward again, the resulting injury is called whiplash. Among the most prevalent causes of neck pain, whiplash can damage multiple structures within your neck, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even discs and nerve rootsof your cervical spine. 

Any time you suspect a whiplash injury, head over to Naples Regenerative Institute in Naples, Florida, where we can provide you with an examination to confirm whiplash. Our double board-certified pain specialist Dr. Glenn M. Flanagan treats whiplash using breakthrough regenerative medicine like prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma treatment and bone marrow stem cell therapy, alongside other more conventional treatments like facet joint injections and radiofrequency ablation. 

Familiarizing yourself with whiplash can help you access the care you need rapidly.

You might not know right away

Despite the forcefulness of the action that caused your whiplash injury, it’s not uncommon for people to experience a day or two of painlessness before the symptoms set in. Yet, you’ll probably know exactly when the injury happened. 

People tend to associate whiplash with car accidents, but it can also be due to contact sports, like football, or abusive injuries and assault. Even if you braced for impact and didn’t feel much pain right away, you might still have whiplash and should take account of any discomfort that happens soon after the injury-causing event. 

Moving your neck intensifies the pain

Neck pain and stiffness are usually the most standout signs of whiplash. When you attempt to turn your head, you’ll notice that the pain intensifies.

Other types of neck pain may not involve worsening pain upon movement or a loss of range of motion. 

In addition to any pain in your neck, whiplash often causes arm, shoulder, and upper back discomfort. These features can range in severity according to the intensity of the impact.

Anticipate some neurological symptoms

You might notice some unusual neurological happenings alongside the more obvious whiplash symptoms like neck pain and stiffness. Let us know if you have any tingling sensations, particularly in your shoulders and arms, or if you experience any dizziness or ringing in the ears

Headaches at the base of your skull aren’t uncommon with whiplash either. If you get headaches often, you might not attribute one to a possible whiplash injury. Still, reporting them can lead to a more accurate assessment of the injury and a better care outcome. 

Don’t ignore the signs, even when they’re mild

Ignoring signs of whiplash can lead to symptoms worsening over time. You might notice some cognitive troubles, like memory or concentration issues, as well as new mood changes or disorders like depression.

Prevent these whiplash complications by contacting our office and getting a detailed whiplash assessment. Call for an appointment or utilize our simple online scheduling feature at your earliest convenience.