Whiplash Archives | Del Valle Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy

Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when a sudden jolt of movement whips your head quickly back and forth, straining the muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and nerves inside your neck. It’s an injury that can happen in a split second. Although it’s the most common car accident injury, it can happen during a sports injury, a fall, or any number of other sudden motion situations. Sometimes, symptoms take hours or days to arrive, but with prompt treatment, here at Del Valle Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy, your Las Cruces physical therapist can help you recover more quickly. If you’ve recently been in a potential whiplash situation, watch out for these five symptoms:

1. Neck Pain and Stiffness

This is the most common symptom of whiplash, and it may take up to 12 hours before it manifests. It may hurt to turn or bend your neck, and you may feel resistance from muscle or ligament inflammation. You may also have sore spots if you touch areas of your neck that were affected by the trauma.

2. Headaches

Strain on the muscles and nerves in the neck can also cause an increase in headaches and migraines after the injury.

3. Pain Radiating to Other Areas

Some cases of whiplash can cause pain to radiate out beyond the neck injury. The head, face, shoulders, and upper arms are common areas of pain for a more serious case of whiplash.

4. Numbness and Tingling

When whiplash occurs, the neck vertebrae grate against each other, which can pinch nerves. In addition to pain, you might also feel either tingling, burning, or a pins-and-needles sensation in the upper back, face, or shoulders. Some people have numb spots in these areas, too.

5. Vision Disturbances

More serious cases of whiplash can be accompanied by blurry vision or vision disturbances that make you dizzy when you try to turn your head.

See the Physical Therapist Las Cruces Whiplash Patients Trust for Pain Relief

No matter what symptom or combination of symptoms of whiplash you’re experiencing, schedule an appointment with us here at Del Valle Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy. Our compassionate, experienced team of physical therapists in Las Cruces, NM can help you feel better again.

Whiplash affects both the neck and shoulders, and it usually occurs after a distressing event. Whether it’s a car accident or play-fight, though, it can take a little while for the symptoms to manifest. We’ll look at not just how long it can take to feel the aftermath of the injury but who can help you determine the severity of your whiplash and find the best solutions for you.

How Long Until I Feel Whiplash?

In general, you’ll feel whiplash around 6 to 12 hours after the event, depending on the circumstances. However, in rarer cases, it can take weeks for the symptoms to truly manifest. This is (partially) why the standard advice is to see a doctor after a car accident — even if you feel perfectly fine. Whiplash tends to start with discomfort and end with swelling and bruising a few days later. In general, it takes about a week for the pain to dissipate on its own, but some may need additional help to recover.

How Can I Find Relief from Neck Pain?

A physical therapist in Las Cruces, NM, can help you improve your range of motion, reduce pain, and relax your body so you can gather the strength you need to heal. With the help of the right exercises, both at home and in-office, you can improve your posture and even strengthen your neck muscles so you’re less likely to get whiplash in the future.

Neck Pain in Las, Cruces, NM

At Del Valle Physical Therapy & Hand Therapy, you’ll meet a staff that understands how neck pain manifests and what you need to do to get back into your routine. If you’re looking for accident rehab in Las Cruces, contact us today for more information!

5 Symptoms of Whiplash