How do you know if you have whiplash?

Question

I was in a car accident about 7 hours ago. I don't remember the actual impact, but the front of my car was totalled, so I must have moved, even though I was wearing a seatbelt. My neck hurts and I have a headache, but I had a headache before the accident. My neck often hurts, but this feels different. I feel a bit groggy, but nothing out of the ordinary. Could I have whiplash? Is there any way to know without seeing a doctor? I have a check up in two weeks, but should I move it up? Also, would it be okay to go to sleep?

My airbag didn't deploy, which the police were surprised about given the degree of damage to my car.

Answer 1

You will know in the morning.

If your neck is so stiff you can't move it, then you've got whiplash.

Right after the wreck, your neck will feel kinda rubbery.

Answer 2

You could have whiplash, although it's difficult to tell without a doctor taking a look. Even though we wear our seatbelts, there is really no way to keep our heads from jerking forward and then back.

Did your airbag deploy? I'm asking this because if it did, this injury could be related to your face/head hitting the airbag as well. They usually call it whiplash when you're hit from behind because the rear end impact forces you forward and then back. Too me, it's the same except the reverse is true.

Try taking a couple of whatever you usually take for a headache. Lay on your back on a straight surface with first, and icepack (wrap in a towel if too cold) for 20 minutes. Then, when you get up, apply a heat source. This could even be a wet washcloth in a baggie that you just pop into the microwave till it's warm enough for 'you'. Don't make it so hot that it's intollarable. Do this for 10 minutes.

The cold in the icepack is recommended to take down any muscle swelling in the neck and also, if you hurt yourself enough, you may have jarred one of the disks between the vertebre and it could be swollen. They do swell. The heat is indicated for the severe pain, but only alternate back and forth till tomorrow night. If it's no better, then see a chiropractor. The M.D.'s will only give you meds like muscle relaxers. The chiropractor will be able to deal with the issue and instruct you fruther from there.

I'd be dead in the water if it wasn't for my chriopractor. Good luck and let me know how that works for you.