Auto Injury Care

Certain levels of pain may be experienced hours, days, or even weeks after you get in a car accident. Even if you walk away from an automobile accident thinking you haven’t been injured, symptoms can show up at any time. It’s important to receive medical attention for any symptoms, as they may be worse than you believe and should be treated before they get worse. Some common symptoms to expect after a car accident include soreness, stiffness, neck and shoulder pain, abdominal pain, numbness, bruising, back pain, and, most commonly, headaches or migraines.

During treatment, Quality Home Health Care Physical Therapist and Skilled Nurses will provide exercises and stretches that will help minimize pain while improving posture control, neck rotation, and overall range of motion. As the body heals within an injured area, new tissues develop, and movement is the best way to ensure the new tissues develop properly. Quality Home Health Care has over 40 years of experience dealing with auto accident injuries and knows how to administer the proper care for your injury.

For instance, Whiplash, a common automobile injury,  is a neck injury caused by a forceful back-and-forth motion of the neck. It commonly occurs in a rear-end car collision, which accounts for over 40% of all car accidents and is the most common form of car collision. These types of automobile accidents cause a sudden and intense acceleration then deceleration motion of the neck causing it to flex, extend and stiffen rapidly. Whiplash causes a strain or sprain of the neck muscles and/or ligaments, but it can also affect the vertebrae (the 7 bones in your neck), discs (the cushion between your vertebrae), or the nerves in your neck and spine. Notably, If you experience a headache after an accident that starts at the base of the skull followed by pain or stiffness, it is likely a product of whiplash. Whiplash headaches are often aggravated by neck movements, particularly when looking up. These headaches are often associated with shoulder pain and touching the trapezius muscles on the back of the neck and shoulders can increase the pain. Whiplash headaches can lead to chronic neck-related headaches known as a cervicogenic headache.

Whiplash symptoms tend to come on several hours to a few days after the incident and typically worsen in the days after injury. Symptoms may last a few weeks to a few months, and may severely limit activity and range of motion. Quality Home Health Care can properly treat signs and symptoms of whiplash, which may include.

  • Numbness and tingling sensations (called paresthesias or pins and needles) in fingers, hands, or arms
  • Limited range of motion in the neck
  • Neck stiffness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Pain that extends into the shoulders and back
  • Cognitive impairment like memory problems or difficulty concentrating
  • Unusual Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Irritability
  • Depression

If you have a whiplash-related headache, you should reduce physical activity and not engage in contact sports until you can look over both shoulders, rock your head all the way forward, all the way back, and from side to side without pain or stiffness. Most of the time whiplash and its symptoms, like headache, are easily diagnosed and resolve on their own. If you have any concerns, or if symptoms are worsening, persisting for newly occurring and are severe enough to interfere with your daily functioning, see your healthcare provider right away.

It is also important to rest your neck area following the injury. While cervical collars were once the go-to treatment for whiplash, doctors now say it is better for long-term recovery to keep the area mobile. Your doctor will ask you questions, examine you, and possibly order an x-ray of your neck to check for a fracture which may be followed by a CT (computed tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to more closely evaluate the injury, especially if you are having neurological symptoms like numbness. The doctor may also rule out other causes of headaches, such as post-traumatic subdural hematoma. After evaluation, your doctor may also consider a medication overuse headache, as you may be taking medications for your headache that may cause rebound head pain. Symptoms from a whiplash injury usually resolve within 2 to 3 weeks and our dedicated staff of Skilled Nurses and Healthcare Professionals can help you decipher between symptoms, treatments and help you better understand your road to recovery. 

Additional treatments may include:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or Naproxen (Aleve)
  • Muscle relaxers like Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine)
  • Moist heat, after the initial swelling has gone down
  • Ultrasound
  • Massage
  • Chiropractic
  • Electronic nerve stimulation
  • Acupuncture
  • Stretching
  • Maintaining good posture (i.e. sitting up straight with your shoulders back)
  • Avoiding carrying bags on your shoulders
  • Sleeping in a healthy position (i.e. sleeping on your back with a pillow under your thighs)

When a serious illness or injury occurs, which limits your ability to move or function normally, speak to your doctor about a referral to Quality Home Health Care, as Physical Therapist may be the best option depending on your health. Quality Home Health Care works closely with patients, doctors, and family members to ensure a safe and rapid return to maximal function and normalcy for their loved ones.

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The staff at Quality Home Health Care Services of Michigan was helpful in aiding my great-aunt after her discharge from the hospital. They ensured she was comfortable and felt secure while being cared for in her own home. The nurses were warm and welcoming and provided great company for my aunt while she was in pain following her last hospital visit. The staff was also accommodating to my family members and were transparent in their form of care so we knew exactly what was happening and what to expect with my aunt's help. I'd recommend this company to anyone seeking home care for their elderly family member recently discharged from the hospital or in need of nursing assistance in their own home.

Brechette G

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