If you’ve been in a minor-to-moderate accident and you’re experiencing neck pain, you should consider seeing a doctor to have your condition evaluated. Neck pain after accidents very rarely gets better without medical intervention, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like headaches, numbness, or tingling in the limbs. Our experts at Metro Medic Walk-In Medical & Chiropractic in New Bedford, MA, can assess your condition and relieve your pain.
Neck pain following a motor vehicle accident, a fall, or a contact sports injury should always be evaluated. This is because this neck pain is associated with whiplash, which can be a serious injury. Even if you believe your injury was minor in nature, it’s important to get evaluated by a professional to rule out injuries that may not be readily apparent. Our walk-in clinic can ensure you receive prompt medical care to prevent further damage.
Severe whiplash can cause a concussion as well as neck pain, so if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms of a concussion, you need to seek immediate medical care.
When you get a concussion from whiplash, you’ve suffered a mild traumatic brain injury, so it’s vital you have your head and neck examined to ensure more intensive medical intervention isn’t necessary. In some cases, concussions can cause permanent brain damage or even be fatal. Seeking help immediately if you notice any of these symptoms can prevent those outcomes and get you on the path toward full recovery. An emergency room or walk-in clinic can quickly assess your injuries.
You might not notice your neck pain right away after your accident because this type of injury can take time to develop. This is one reason why you shouldn’t assume you’re uninjured immediately after an accident because you could be hurt and not realize it. Within the next few days, you may notice the following symptoms develop. If they do not improve, or even get worse, get help from a medical professional.
Depending on the severity of your injury, your neck pain may last for several weeks after an accident. However, if you’re practicing self-care and the pain does not get better after a week or ten days, it’s time to consider seeing a doctor. While your pain may get worse initially over the course of several days, it should start to improve steadily with treatment. If it’s not responding to conservative care, get a professional involved.
Some neck pain, whether it’s sharp and sudden, or dull and chronic, can prevent you from participating in your everyday activities, including sleep. Just because your pain isn’t acute doesn’t mean you have to live with it. If it’s interfering with the way you live or want to live, seek help from a medical professional. It’s not normal to have neck pain that doesn’t get better, even after an accident, so don’t let it run your life.
Even if you’re able to control your pain with medication, you should consult with a physician to find out how you can relieve your pain without medication. Drugs for pain, even low dosage, and over-the-counter pain relievers, are not meant to be permanent solutions for pain control. If you’re only able to get through the day or sleep through the night when you take pain pills, it’s time to look for an alternative medical solution.
If your accident was the fault of someone else (i.e. a motor vehicle accident or a slip and fall at a place of business), or it occurred at your workplace, you should see a doctor about your neck pain as soon as possible. The sooner you see a physician, the more quickly you can file a claim with the insurance company or workman’s compensation provider associated with your accident. We’ll provide the documentation you need to file your claim.
While your general practitioner or primary care physician can treat your neck pain, it’s better to see a specialist who is experienced with various treatments for neck pain after accidents. A chiropractor is qualified to assess your condition, diagnose it, and develop a treatment plan to alleviate your pain. Your treatment plan may include adjustments, massage, disc compression, therapies, rehabilitation, and nutritional counseling. Together, we’ll determine the best combination of treatments to treat your neck pain and get your life back.
Pinched nerves are one of the most common causes of neck pain following a whiplash-type accident, and chiropractors are well-trained to adjust the facet joint and vertebrae misalignments that are compressing your nerves. If a pinched nerve is the cause of your neck pain, you’ll feel instant relief when we manipulate your neck to release the trapped nerves. However, you may still need ongoing treatments, such as massage and further adjustments, to relieve tight or strained muscles around the area.
An evaluation for neck pain usually involves a physical examination of the affected area and neck x-rays. We’ll also go over your medical history with you to determine if your neck pain could be related to other medical conditions. We will also ask you about your daily habits to discover if any of your behaviors could be causing your pain to be worse. We take a holistic approach toward neck pain to eliminate all possible triggers of your discomfort.
Once your neck pain is diagnosed, and we’ve identified any exacerbating circumstances, we’ll develop a treatment plan that will help you achieve your goals for pain relief. We’ll discuss your treatment options and suggest those that we know from experience can help alleviate your neck pain. Your treatment plan may require several appointments with a chiropractor to realize full results. You may also require maintenance appointments at regular intervals to ensure your neck pain doesn’t return.
Despite the fact that neck pain following an accident can take several days to develop, and we recommend you see a doctor after an accident whether you’re in pain or not, you may decide to treat your neck pain yourself to see if it will improve without medical intervention. As long as you aren’t experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms of a concussion, you can take this conservative approach to see if it will get better before seeking help.
As soon as possible following your injury, apply ice to your neck to reduce swelling and pain. You’ll want to wrap a cold compress or ice in a thin towel and press it gently against your neck for fifteen minutes every three hours. Continue this practice for 24-to-36 hours, followed by heat if the swelling has gone down.
To reduce the pain associated with a neck injury, take over-the-counter pain reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). These medications should only be taken if you have no medical conditions that could be negatively affected by their use. If you have any questions about taking one of these medications, contact your doctor first to verify their safety. Follow all dosing directions on the bottle or as directed by your doctor to prevent an overdose.
You should only apply heat to your neck after you’ve iced it exclusively for about three days. You want the swelling to go down before you apply heat since heat can make swelling worse. A heating pad can relax the muscles around your injury, so it’s appropriate for your shoulders, arms, and upper back, but if the pain is mostly gone from your neck, leaving it stiff and mildly achy, you can use the heat on your neck as well.
You can obtain a neck collar or brace from most pharmacies, and this device can prevent you from turning your neck sharply, which may cause significant pain. It can also provide temporary support for your neck while the muscles around the injury heal. It’s important to note, though, that you should not consider a neck brace a long-term solution, as it will actually weaken your neck muscles over time, making it more prone to further injury.
As you can tolerate it, gently stretch your neck muscles by slowly moving it side to side and up and down. When your neck hurts, it’s normal to tense your muscles to keep your pain as minimal as possible; however, this causes your muscles to tighten up, leading to even more pain. Gently stretching your neck can loosen the muscles enough to alleviate at least some of your pain temporarily.
Getting a gentle massage can also help relieve pain associated with stiff and tense muscles. Just be sure that the person giving you the massage doesn’t go too deep or you may experience even more pain if the nerves in your neck are irritated. While a gentle massage can help lessen your pain somewhat, it’s better to get a professional massage from a chiropractor who knows how to do it properly and safely to avoid further damage.
For the first few days after your accident, do as little as possible. This may mean missing work or school so you can keep your neck still and practice self-care. You should also avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks after your injury, especially those that involve lifting heavy objects or twisting your neck. If your neck pain is accompanied by a significant lack of mobility, you may also need to refrain from driving until your motion is better.
When you’re in pain, the last thing you want to do is wait for an appointment to see a doctor, especially if you’ve been dealing with neck pain for a week or longer. Come on in to Metro Medic Walk-In Medical & Chiropractic in New Bedford, MA, today, where you can be seen without an appointment and get on the path to a pain-free life.
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