We’ve all seen the archetypical image of someone wearing a big, puffy neck brace while sitting in the courtroom. If you’re suffering from whiplash, you probably have an enormous amount of sympathy for that person.
Whiplash is painful and it can involve costly medical bills. If you have whiplash right now, you’re probably wondering the best possible way to treat it.
Here are a few strategies that doctors commonly use to treat a case of whiplash:
Time: There’s no substitute for time when it comes to healing the body. In most cases of whiplash, all you need is plenty of rest and sufficient time for your body to carry out its natural healing process.
Ice: Applying ice to your neck with a thin towel between your skin. Ice is an excellent and surprisingly effective treatment. Ice works because it cools the area of the injury, which triggers a natural reaction in the body to send more blood there. With the blood comes healing nutrients, and the added circulation allows the swelling to go down. Numbing the area with ice can also help decrease pain. Try applying ice for 15 minutes every three or four hours for a period of two or three days.
Over-the-counter pain medication: Medication like Ibuprofen, Advil and Aleve can be very helpful to deal with your pain.
Using a neck brace: A soft neck brace can help support your neck and keep you from jerking it too quickly in the days following your accident. However, it’s not advised to use a device like this for a long time, as your neck needs to strengthen.
Moist heat: A warm towel or warm bath can be great for whiplash, but only use this treatment after doing the ice treatment for two or three days.
If an unlawful or reckless motorist caused your injuries, determine what your legal rights and options are. In some cases, a whiplash victim can pursue personal injury claims in court to recoup their financial damages.