Treating a Neck Injury from an Accident

Being in an auto accident is frightening and traumatic, even if it’s just a fender bender. Fortunately, cars are being built safer these days and these features have cut down on injuries; but they can’t be eliminated. The neck is still very vulnerable and susceptible to injury.

A neck injury as a result of an auto accident is referred to as whiplash. Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person’s neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force that causes unrestrained, rapid forward and backward movement of the head and neck. It is often ignored or mistreated due to lack of understanding of the condition.

While most people involved in minor motor vehicle accidents recover quickly without any chronic symptoms, some continue to experience symptoms for years after the injury. 

In the past, the initial treatment for whiplash was often a soft cervical collar for several weeks. The goal of the collar was to reduce the range of motion of the neck and to prevent any additional injuries. More recent studies have shown that this prolonged immobilization actually slows the healing process. If there is no evidence of abnormal spinal alignment, early range of motion is advised. Patients involved in early range of motion exercises have been shown to have a more reliable and rapid improvement in their symptoms. 

Seek out medical advice from a spine specialist to ensure that you are receiving the proper treatment for an optimal recovery.