WHIPLASH TREATMENT

Most people respond to whiplash treatment and recover in a few months, however a substantial percentage will have painful symptoms for much longer especially the elderly or those with pre-existing neck problems who may develop chronic long term problems which may never resolve. The extent and type of injury varies greatly and diagnosis is often one of exclusion following physical examination, scans and x-rays and after consideration of medical records. Most injuries are to soft tissues and cannot be seen on x-rays however they may be revealed by computed topography scans or magnetic resonance imaging.

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Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on observation of the patient's symptoms, consideration of the medical history, physical examination, and neurological difficulties to determine whether the neck and spine has been injured. Whiplash symptoms may appear immediately following the trauma or they may not develop until hours, days, or weeks after the injury occurs and may include:-

• headaches
• pain or stiffness in the neck, jaw, shoulders, or arm
• low back problems
• dizziness
• neck pain
• blurred vision
• reduced ability to turn and bend
• pain, pins and needles, numbness or muscle spasm in the shoulder, hands or arm
• nausea and vomiting

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Treatment

This condition used to be treated with immobilization in a cervical collar, however current medical advice is to encourage early mobilization and a soft collar may be used for a short term or on an intermittent basis. An early return to work is usually recommended with temporary modifications to any physical work. Although there is no specific treatment doctors may recommend pain relieving drugs, analgesics, exercises, physical therapy, traction, massage, heat, ice, injections or ultrasound. Symptoms usually resolve within about six months for most people however chronic or long term conditions may, in very rare circumstances, require surgery. The currently recommended whiplash treatment for both neck and back pain is to get on with ordinary life as soon as possible with slight modifications, and it has been found that those people who stay active and exercise their necks, despite the pain, usually recover more quickly.

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Personal Injury Solicitors

Our specialist personal injury solicitors have detailed experience in dealing with accident compensation settlements. You do not have to fund or finance your case in any respect and you do not have to pay for any expenses as the claim proceeds. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and win or lose there is no charge. If you submit your details an experienced advocate who is a member of the Solicitors Regulastion Authority panel of personal injury experts will respond and give free advice without obligation on what steps you should take to claim compensation. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.