If you have been in an auto accident, it is important to seek early treatment in order to maximize health recovery, even if you have no symptoms.

People who initiate proper treatment within 3 to 4 days after a cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injury recover 3 to 4 times faster and have a more complete recovery than those who do not.

Some facts about whiplash, also know as cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injuries:

• Muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and other adjacent soft tissue can be torn during whiplash trauma.
• Early onset of neck pain within several hours after the injury indicates ligament or disk involvement.
• Headaches, ringing in the ears and visual disturbances are common after CAD injuries.
• The onset of symptoms can be delayed from several days to several months following the injury.
• Eighty-one percent of whiplash injuries occur below 30 miles per hour.
• Numerous outcome studies show that 25% of people with CAD injuries show non-resolution of symptoms after one year.
• Women and children are slightly more likely than men to have CAD injuries.
• Awareness of an impending collision is very important. A person who is unaware of an impending collision is 15 times more likely to experience long-term pain than someone who is aware of an impending collision.
• A person's physical job requirements along with the physical activities of their daily life can significantly impact their recovery or non-recovery following an auto accident. The physical stress placed on muscles, disks and ligaments can significantly alter recovery.

To sum up, it's not how much damage is done to the car that is important, but how much damage is done to the person inside the car.