Several weeks ago, a dear family friend of mine suffered a devastating stroke. For a few days, his family members didn’t know if he would survive this event. Thankfully, he did. Now, he is undergoing the slow recovery process in a nursing home. Since his stroke, his family has been amazing. They visit him daily at the nursing facility. They have even decorated his room in an effort to make him feel like he is at home. If your loved one has recently been admitted to a nursing home, don’t despair. You may be able to help your loved one adjust to this living situation better by being supportive. On this blog, you will discover the ways to make your loved one’s transition to a nursing home easier.
A Home Away from Home
How Can You Tell If You Have Whiplash After A Car Accident?
Johnny Rodriguez
Whiplash is a common problem among car accident victims. Knowing how to recognize the symptoms of whiplash and knowing what to do about whiplash can help you recover if you are involved in a car accident.
How can you tell if you have whiplash after a car accident?
If you have whiplash after a car accident, you may experience a variety of symptoms, many of which may seem unrelated to one another. Some symptoms will be physical, while other symptoms may be more psychological or mental. For example:
- Pain and tenderness in the neck, shoulders and back
- Irritability
- Lack of memory and inability to stay focused
- Stiffness and limited range of motion
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
What do people usually do to recover from whiplash?
There are many things that you can do to recover from whiplash once you've been given a diagnosis. Common treatments include:
- Physical therapy rehabilitation services. Physical therapists have many techniques they may implement for whiplash patients, including therapeutic massage and therapeutic stretches and exercises. Physical therapists work with whiplash patients to improve alignment of the spine and strengthen the muscles in the neck.
- Pain medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe pain medication to help you feel better during the recovery process. While pain medication doesn't actually heal your body, it can help relieve your pain.
- Ice. Application of ice on your neck and shoulders helps reduce swelling and control pain. Reduction of swelling can also help your body recover more quickly. Ice the area for 20 minutes at a time every 3 to 4 hours. Do this for the first several days.
- Immobilization. Many people wear an immobilization collar as they begin their treatment for whiplash because immobilization can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Heat. Once icing your neck has reduced inflammation, heat can help with pain and reduce stiffness.
People who experience whiplash must use a combination of these techniques to recover.
If you suspect that you have whiplash after a car accident, what should you do?
If you've recently been in a car accident and believe yourself to have whiplash, seek help from an experienced physical therapist and your physician. Both medical professionals can give you a diagnosis and can design a treatment plan fit for your needs. They can also answer any questions that you may have about whiplash. Once you've started physical therapy, you should be able to recover from whiplash within a few days or weeks, depending on the severity of your condition.
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