Whiplash injury treatments and other healing approaches

Most often caused in car accidents, whiplash is a non-medical term that is used to describe injuries caused to the neck. It frequently takes place when a vehicle may have been hit at the rear and the whole subject has been much in the news in recent weeks through figures just released which show that around 1,200 whiplash claims are made in the UK each day, six times more than the amount of those who claim for injuries which occur in the workplace every year.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) claims that one from every 140 people in the UK claim for a whiplash-type injury each year and it’s also estimated that the cost to the NHS in treating whiplash injuries is 8m annually while the cost to the insurance industry of whiplash claims is a staggering 2bn.

Figures also reveal that 75% of injury claims are for whiplash, which has resulted in the UK being termed the “whiplash capital of Europe”. It is hard to argue with this statement and those looking to slow up the amount of claims have found it challenging because that it is a very difficult condition to definitively diagnose and it is also not too difficult to fake or exaggerate.

The many negative headlines concerning whiplash should not hide the truth which is that, for those who really have been in a car crash or who have suffered whiplash in some other way, it may be extremely painful and long-lasting and remedies are not that readily available. While painkillers may provide a short-term benefit, they won’t tackle the root of the problem and there is increased interest in alternative treatment which may restore the victim to good health in a more holistic way.

In those hours following an accident of some sort there might be relatively little sign of any problems, however, a headache and also a stiff neck are usually the first indications that something is not quite right. For many people the first thing to do on the first sign of trouble will be to seek medical assistance. Surgery is unusual except in the most serious cases so, assuming the GP diagnoses whiplash, it is more likely that they may recommend some painkillers as well as an ice pack to be applied to the area affected to try and reduce inflammation and pain.

In the long term, other treatments, which can be done at home, can alleviate the pain and help manage the neck back towards long-term fitness. The most basic would be to keep your neck moving as this can keep the area mobile and stop stiffness. Another way to help is through taking up reflexology which will apply pressure to affected areas of the body and assist in the reflexes of the head and the spine.

Also, it is now a widely held belief that eating the right foods can also aid recovery. With the tissue damaged in a whiplash injury, the best foods to get into the body are the ones which will help rebuild the tissue. So, wheatgerm, that contains vitamins E and B, both important in rebuilding tissue, would be a useful food to get into your diet and nuts, oats, vegetables and sunflower seeds are all foods that have the ideal properties to allow your neck the best possible chance of making a full recovery.

Herbal remedies are also encouraged by some with supplements like St John’s Wort and Lavender Oil being aids in helping the body to heal as well as serving as a painkiller. There are also homeopathy remedies that are tried by many who suffer from whiplash injuries, including certain remedies which might be helpful in reducing stiffness in the neck first thing each morning and others which may be suitable for damaged nerves. Those interested in both herbal remedies and homeopathy should get appropriate advice from those who are trained in such remedies to ensure they receive the correct dose and the right treatment.

Contact us for further info on making whiplash injury claims. We’re able to advise on just what treatment plans could be offered and our whiplash treatment advice may emphasise free therapies. We can also advise how much your whiplash claim could be worth.

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