- Whiplash, or cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome, is an injury to the neck that usually develops after a car accident, traumatic fall, or collision while playing a contact sport.
- When the neck is lurched back and forth suddenly or moves beyond its normal range of motion, individuals tend to experience intense pain, stiffness and headaches (whiplash).
- The pain management specialists at Tulsa Pain Consultants discuss treatment options for those affected by whiplash.
Although whiplash develops most commonly after rear-end motor vehicle accidents, there are other causes of this condition as well. Individuals, who collide with others while playing a high contact sport or who experience physical abuse, are also at risk of developing whiplash. Typically, most individuals recover from whiplash a few days or weeks after their initial injury. Nevertheless, there are circumstances where this condition can become chronic and cause other complications.
Symptoms of whiplash immediately after an incident generally include:
- Neck pain
- Stiffness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Numbness
- Difficulty rotating the head
Pain from your injury should diminish over time, and you should have full range of motion restored in your neck shortly after. If this does not occur, you may have sustained serious tissue or bone damage. In these cases, it’s imperative patients get their symptoms checked immediately after their accident to rule out the possibility of tissue damage or vertebral fractures.
As mentioned previously, chronic pain may develop following a whiplash injury. If this occurs, patients may benefit from a combination of treatment options.
Treatment for chronic neck pain due to whiplash may include:
- Prescription pain medication
- Physical therapy (to strengthen neck muscles and improve function)
- Steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
To learn more about treatment for whiplash, or CAD syndrome, call one of our locations to schedule an appointment with a pain management physician. We will evaluate your injury and determine the best form of treatment. Call today! We look forward to hearing from you!
Tulsa Pain Consultants is a multi-location pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 855-918-PAIN or click on our “Request An Appointment” tab to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.