The Dangers of Ignoring Whiplash

It happens in an instant. You’re going about your day, maybe driving along or playing a sport. Then — wham! You get slammed. If that sudden contact strained the soft tissues in your neck, you could end up with whiplash. 

Fortunately, we can help. Shyam Purswani, MD, specializes in treating neck pain, including issues that arise after car accidents, contact sports incidents, and falls. At South Texas Pain Institute, we help you find the right treatment to address your whiplash and avoid the dangers that come from this kind of neck injury. 

The complications that can come with whiplash

In some cases, the soft-tissue injuries associated with whiplash will heal within days or weeks. 

Other times, the neck injury causes chronic inflammation around your cervical spine. The results can last for years and, in some cases, be debilitating. Studies have shown that some people deal with issues like headaches, shoulder stiffness, and arm pain 20 years later.  

Beyond the chronic pain, untreated whiplash has been linked to neurological issues like memory or mood problems and sleep issues.

Ignoring whiplash can lead to both physical and mental symptoms that last a long time and interfere with your quality of life. To avoid long-term issues, it’s important to get medical care if your neck still hurts after a few days. 

Getting the care your neck needs

There’s no cure for whiplash. Instead, treatment hinges on supporting your body’s natural healing processes. 

With that in mind, Dr. Purswani evaluates your neck and develops a personalized treatment plan for you. It might include:

• Acupuncture 
• Chiropractic care
• Activity modification/immobilization
• Injections to address inflammation
• Massage therapy
• Multiwave locked system (MLS) laser therapy
• Physical therapy
• Stem cell therapy

Dr. Purswani tailors your care to what your neck needs. MLS therapy can be particularly helpful if you have a limited range of motion, for example. Or if stronger muscles would better support your neck, he may suggest physical therapy. 

In the meantime, he can also deploy treatment to help you manage any pain you’re experiencing. He offers medication, nerve root blocks, and more. 

No matter what Dr. Purswani recommends, it’s also important to avoid activities that could further strain your neck. Resting supports your body’s regenerative work. 

Getting the right care helps you prevent long-lasting complications. By addressing the strain and swelling in the soft tissues of your neck, you help your body heal. For most people, that makes whiplash a short-term inconvenience rather than a chronic issue.

In short, if you want to avoid lasting problems, whiplash isn’t something you should ignore. If you’ve had neck pain for more than a few days, come see Dr. Purswani. Request an appointment online or call us at (210) 899-7246 today.