Did you know that about 3 million people sustain whiplash injuries every year? Whiplash is not just caused by high-speed car accidents. You can get whiplash even at speeds of 12 miles per hour.
If you don’t take care of your whiplash, you can end up with chronic pain and even become disabled due to the pain. Reducing your whiplash recovery time can help you manage your symptoms and pain.
Want some whiplash recovery tips? Keep on reading to learn more.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Whiplash?
If you take care of yourself and follow the whiplash recovery tips below, recovering from whiplash may take 1 to 2 weeks. But remember the amount of time to recover depends on how serious the injury is. Without immediate treatment, you can end up with chronic pain in the long run.
You can start off with neck stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. In some cases, you may suffer from memory loss, impaired concentration, and depression. Paying attention to your symptoms and getting the right care can reduce the time for your recovery.
Whiplash Recovery Process
There are certain simple steps you can take to improve your recovery time. The first thing you need to know is that it doesn’t take a lot to get whiplash. Even speeds as low as 5 to 10 miles per hour can lead to whiplash injuries, and it’s best not to ignore any neck pain.
Rest
Rather than rushing into your daily routine, take some time to rest your neck. If you notice that certain movements make your neck stiff or painful, avoid that movement for the first few days after the injury.
Use Neck Support
If you are in too much pain, wear a neck foam or brace to support your neck and promote healing. It can reduce the pressure on your neck but make sure not to wear it for longer than 72 hours without speaking to a doctor.
Hot and Cold Packs
Hot/cold packs can also help reduce swelling and pain. They will help to relax your muscles right after the injury. You can use the packs for 15 minutes every few hours.
Stay Active
It might seem counterintuitive, but you want to stay active. Don’t strain yourself but try simple neck movements to improve mobility like rotating your neck slowly, tiling your neck from left to right, and rolling your shoulders. If you are in too much pain, speak to your doctor or chiropractor.
Chiropractic Care
The best way to improve your recovery is to go to a chiropractor to help align your spine. They can work with you to manage your pain with rehabilitative exercises and stretches to normalize and stabilize your muscles, joints, and nerves. For more information about chiropractic care for whiplash recovery, click here.
More About Whiplash Recovery Time
Whiplash recovery time varies for every person depending on the severity of the damage, the amount of care you take after the injury, and even your age. You can reduce the amount of time it takes to recover by resting, using support, and getting the right chiropractic care.
Are you looking for more tips on improving your health? Take a look through our blog with more such articles on interesting topics like improving bone strength and the benefits of chiropractic care.
