Whiplash-related Upper Neck Pain: A Quick Guide

May 15, 2022

upper neck pain

Unknown to many people, dealing with upper neck pain can be quite tricky, mainly if it stems from a whiplash injury. While a whiplash injury can improve within a month, its overall effect on your well-being can linger for years. A whiplash injury overextends the neck and increases your risk of developing cervical spine misalignment. 

As a result, the bones can impinge on nerve tissues or cause unwanted effects that prolong your pain and discomfort. Learn more about upper neck pain and how to resolve it with the help of simple and natural remedies. 

 

What's a Whiplash Injury?

A whiplash injury is one of the most common consequences of a rear-end car collision. This event can cause rapid and forceful overextension of the neck bones. However, it's crucial to note that whiplash injuries can also result from other things, including the following: 

  • Sports-related injuries – Sporting events like basketball, football, soccer, and wrestling can have a terrible effect on the neck. 
  • Falling or tripping – You are more likely to overextend your cervical spine when you fall or trip. This can force your C1 and C2 bones to shift away from the body's central axis. 
  • Physical assault – A severe blow to the head can also lead to a whiplash injury. Hence, you should seek medical assistance if you have this form of injury to prevent unnecessary complications. 

 

How do you know if you have a whiplash injury?

Whiplash injuries affect people differently. Notably, some experience upper neck pain a few hours after the accident or other traumatic events. On the one hand, others only notice their symptoms after a week or months. Some don't know that they suffered from whiplash due to the lack of apparent indications such as:   

  • Facial pain
  • Neck stiffness
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Shoulder pain 
  • Jaw pain 
  • Achy limbs and digits
  • Nausea
  • Vertigo or dizziness
  • Double vision 
  • Tinnitus
  • Hearing loss 
  • Lower back pain 
  • Tingling sensation
  • Numbness
  • Fatigue 
  • Mood swings
  • Depression 
  • Insomnia
  • Post-concussion syndrome 

If you suspect having a whiplash injury or spot any of the signs above, we strongly suggest working hand in hand with a physician or an upper cervical chiropractor. Additionally, we recommend looking out for conditions that develop because of whiplash injuries, including: 

  • ADHD
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Seizures 
  • Compromised spinal structure

upper neck pain

 

 

 

 

 

What remedies can patients use to recover? 

Thankfully because whiplash injuries are so common, patients have various remedy options. These include the following: 

Relaxation Techniques

Simple relaxation techniques such as yoga breathing and mindfulness exercises can help speed up whiplash recovery. They're also effective in distracting you from your upper neck pain and managing the effects of a whiplash injury. Some examples of practices you can try to include the following: 

  • Getting a relaxing massage
  • Unplugging from social media
  • Meditating at night
  • Spending a day at the spa 
  • Scheduling a regular ME time
  • Engaging in a new hobby
  • Embracing the bounties of nature

Cold Compress

A cold compress can help soothe inflamed muscles and joints. So, you might find it helpful to apply a frozen or chilled material on your neck for no more than 20 minutes at a time. We also suggest wrapping your cold compress on a towel before pressing it on your skin to prevent frostbite and other injuries.   

Hot Compress

Heat promotes faster tissue healing. So, we strongly suggest applying a hot compress on your achy neck after the swelling or tenderness subsides. We also recommend testing the hot compress first by touching it with the back of your hand so you can avoid irritating or burning your skin during use. 

Acupressure

Acupressure is another popular technique used to relieve neck pain. It involves applying pressure on specific body parts to improve energy flow in the body and activate self-healing, especially in injured areas such as the cervical spine. 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Upper cervical chiropractic is the leader in providing effective upper neck pain relief. It focuses on the topmost neckbones – the C1 and C2 – and applies soft strokes to correct posture imbalances. Thousands of patients who suffer from a whiplash injury rely on an upper cervical care doctor to relieve their pain and fix their posture problems. Notably, some patients immediately seek an upper cervical chiropractic doctor when they notice posture problems such as unlevelled gait and symptoms like neck stiffness, headaches, and limited head movements.

     

Get professional help to alleviate your upper neck pain today!

Several case studies have proven the effectiveness of upper cervical care in providing lasting relief from upper neck pain. It applies to a broad spectrum of people – young, old, professionals, athletics, laborers, etc. The process works by applying gentle chiropractic adjustments to the uppermost section of the neck. To ensure relief, upper cervical doctors thoroughly assess the neck bones. This includes performing three-dimensional X-ray scans of the C1 and C2 bones and evaluating the medical history to identify events that may have led to the whiplash injury. 

This approach is a widely sought remedy for neck pain and other health complaints. So, if other remedies didn't do you any service, you might find it helpful to seek an upper cervical chiropractic doctor. Thousands of professional neck chiropractors in the USA are ready to help patients like you unlock sustainable and lasting neck pain relief. 

For more information about this chiropractic technique, you may reach out to the nearest upper cervical clinic.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.

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