• Long-Term Effects of Whiplash After an Auto Accident

    Effects of Whiplash After an Auto Accident

    A soft tissue neck injury, whiplash happens when the head is suddenly and forcefully jolted backwards and then forwards, or side to side. It can happen from different types of trauma, but it’s most often the result of a car accident, typically a rear-end collision. Even if you’re wearing a seatbelt, you can suffer whiplash, but because the symptoms often come on slowly, you may not even realize you are injured. For many people, once the symptoms do start, they brush it off as just a minor after-effect of the collision, and they don’t seek medical treatment, thinking the pain will go away on its own. Rarely, it does improve, but in most cases, those whose whiplash goes untreated will suffer long-term complications.

    Man suffering long-term effects of whiplash after an auto accident in Sandusky, OH

    Immediate Symptoms of Whiplash

    Some of the effects of whiplash from a car accident typically begin to manifest within a few hours of the accident. However, some may not be noticeable for several days. The effects of whiplash on the neck include pain or stiffness and a loss of flexibility or range of motion. You might also experience shoulder and upper back pain, facial discomfort, headaches or migraines, numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, fatigue, dizziness, and balance issues. In some cases, whiplash can injure more than just the neck, and the effects of whiplash on the brain can be serious. The same jolting motion that causes whiplash, medically known as “cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD), can cause traumatic brain injury, so it is important to be screened for a concussion while you are being examined for whiplash.

    Can It Cause Long-term Symptoms?

    Days, weeks, months, or even years after an accident, people can experience the long-term effects of whiplash. The after-effects of whiplash include chronic pain and neck pain, often linked to damage in the neck joints, ligaments, and discs. Serious car accidents are often the cause of these long-term effects of whiplash injury, but even when an accident is severe, the full symptoms of whiplash may not appear for 12 hours or more. Severe whiplash injury, or whiplash that goes untreated, can become chronic, leading to pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and jaw, stiffness in the neck and shoulders, dizziness, headaches, trouble sleeping, numbness or weakness in the extremities, ringing in the ears, concentration and memory problems, blurred vision, and irritability.

    Impact on Daily Life and Activities

    The lasting effects of whiplash can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Chronic pain and stiffness can limit their physical capabilities. What’s more, some people experience life-altering symptoms like memory loss. Seeking treatment can help limit these long-term repercussions and help you maintain your desired lifestyle.

    Management and Treatment

    There are various techniques for managing the side effects of whiplash at home. Talk to your doctor about light stretching and other useful exercises for calming your muscles and improving your range of motion. In the first few days, applying ice may help with pain and swelling, and after that, heat can work to provide relief to the affected areas. Some patients find it helpful to alternate between ice and heat. Over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen and NSAIDs, can also be effective. If you have whiplash and are having trouble sleeping, you can try stretching, drinking chamomile tea before bed, placing a towel under your neck, or experimenting with pillows to find the type that works best for you. In some cases, patients find that sleeping in a reclining chair or on the sofa until the symptoms subside is helpful.

    Why Seeing a Chiropractor is the Best Solution for Your Whiplash Injury

    There are different methods of treating whiplash, but most patients find that an experienced chiropractor can provide the most substantial relief. Chiropractors are trained to treat whiplash injuries, and can create a specialized treatment plan to address your specific injury. After completing a thorough exam and inquiring about your medical history, your chiropractor will work to ensure that your neck is properly aligned, and advise you on mobility and strengthening exercises to help maintain the progress made in your chiropractic appointments.

    Comprehensive Chiropractic Services in Sandusky, OH

    If you are looking for a quality chiropractor in Sandusky, OH, visit Sandusky Wellness Center, where we are proud to offer chiropractic services to patients of all ages. Committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and improving the overall well-being of our clients, we provide chiropractic care designed to alleviate and prevent pain, helping patients live healthier, stronger lives. Unlike practices that only treat symptoms, we work to heal the cause of the symptoms, making patients not only feel better but also have stronger, healthier bodies. Combining the most advanced chiropractic care with cutting-edge medical care, we provide an integrated healthcare approach that offers the best of both worlds. Under the direction of Dr. Gregg Winnestaffer, D.C., our team creates a fun, friendly atmosphere in our office, treating patients like family and finding solutions for their specific healthcare issues, helping them meet their goals. If you are suffering from back pain or neck pain, or you have sustained an injury, let us help you find lasting relief along the road to recovery. We will address your precise needs in a relaxed, comforting atmosphere, with a full range of comprehensive health services, so that you can rediscover ease of movement without pain. Call 419-971-7029 or contact us through our website to get started on a highly effective, non-invasive treatment plan customized to meet your needs.

  • Who should consider medical weight loss?

    Understanding Medical Weight Loss

    There is a lot of buzz these days about using medication for weight loss, but do weight loss medications work? It is not always a good idea to take weight loss medication on your own, but medically supervised weight loss is a viable option. It can sometimes be difficult to see how our own habits make weight loss difficult, and achieving weight loss goals requires more than just taking medication for weight loss. Advanced medical weight loss programs, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified physician, involve a comprehensive weight loss program, using nutrition, physical activity, medication, and behaviour modification to promote weight loss. For those who are struggling to lose weight on their own, adding the medication and behavioural modification techniques can make a world of difference in achieving results.

    Woman discussing weight loss injection with a doctor in Sandusky, OH

    Eligibility

    Medically supervised weight loss programs are suitable for people whose body mass index (BMI) is over 30. If you have a BMI lower than 30, but it’s above 27 and you have obesity-related health concerns, you are likely to qualify for medical weight loss. For safe weight loss, medication under the guidance of your doctor, in the framework of a structured, supervised approach, can be extremely beneficial. Most weight loss programs have an age restriction, and some health conditions may be disqualifying factors. If you are not sure if you are eligible, the best way to find out is to talk to your doctor.

    Who should consider medical weight loss?

    Anyone who is finding it difficult to lose weight through diet and exercise alone should consider medically supervised weight loss. It is also a good fit for you if you are facing challenges achieving sustainable weight loss and are looking for a comprehensive, evidence-based program customized to meet your unique needs. Weight gain can be caused by factors you may not even realize are affecting you, like depression, stress, anxiety, genetics, poor sleep, hormonal imbalances, and certain medications. Because being overweight can raise your risk of medical issues like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and even cancer, it is wise to consider medical weight loss if you are struggling to lose weight on your own.

    Are you the right candidate for medical weight loss?

    The ideal candidate for medical weight loss is someone who has tried to lose weight through diet and exercise, but is not achieving the desired weight loss goals. If that sounds like you, or if you have a genetic or medical condition that is making it hard to manage your weight, you may be the right candidate. Additionally, if you already suffer from a chronic condition like diabetes, a medical weight loss program can help you learn how to make better food choices and lead a healthier lifestyle.

    How is it right for you?

    Medical weight loss is about more than just coming to the doctor for a weight loss medication injection every month. It is a program that is designed to be right for you, because it is tailored to meet your individual needs and help you reach your goals. While you are involved in the program, you will receive ongoing support, and be monitored to make sure you are on track to reach your goals. You won’t get sucked into fad diets or unsafe practices, because you will not have to try to figure out on your own how to lose weight. Instead, you will be guided by a physician, and observed to ensure you are losing weight in a healthy way. You will benefit from the doctor’s knowledge, and you will have access to therapy, if necessary, to get to the root of issues that may be inhibiting weight loss.

    Let Sandusky Wellness Center Transform Your Weight Loss Journey

    More than just a quality chiropractor in Sandusky, OH, Sandusky Wellness Center offers cutting-edge medical weight loss programs customized to meet each patient’s individual needs. Committed to promoting healthy lifestyles and improving the overall well-being of our patients, we provide a wide range of integrative healthcare designed to alleviate and prevent pain, helping patients live happier, healthier, stronger lives. Under the direction of Dr. Gregg Winnestaffer, D.C., our team creates a fun, friendly atmosphere in our office, treating patients like family and finding solutions for their specific healthcare issues. If you are interested in pursuing a medically supervised weight loss plan, clinically guided by our healthcare professionals, we are here to help you meet your goals and set you on the path to overall health and wellness. We will address your precise needs in a relaxed, comforting atmosphere, with a full range of comprehensive health services, to help you live your best life. Call 419-971-7029,  contact us through our website, or schedule a consultation so that we can guide you towards sustainable and effective weight management and better overall wellness.