Whiplash is a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Commonly, whiplash happens when people are involved in car accidents or other incidents where they're thrown forward and backwards. The sudden jarring shock can injure ligaments, muscles and tendons in your neck, and the resulting pain can be intense.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries that can occur in an accident—and it's also one of the most misunderstood. Most people don't realise how serious whiplash injuries can be, or how long they may take to recover from. They also don't know which muscles are affected by whiplash injuries or what kinds of treatment options are available.

Whiplash injuries are serious. They can leave you with a long recovery time, and a whiplash injury can also cause other injuries, such as neck spasms and headaches. It's important to realise that your neck muscles are not the only ones affected by this type of injury. The ligaments that hold the vertebrae in place can become strained or torn as well, which will cause you even more pain if not treated properly. It's important to see a doctor right away if you've suffered from whiplash so they can make sure nothing else is wrong with your body beyond the whiplash itself!

Cervical spine issues of this nature due to vehicular collision can cause chronic pain due to a whiplash-associated disorder.

Table of Contents

Purpose

Whiplash is a common injury that can be caused by a motor vehicle accident. The neck is the most flexible part of the body and most vulnerable to injury, so whiplash can cause pain in your neck, back, and head. If you've suffered a whiplash injury, you might also experience headaches that could last for months or years afterwards. Besides accidents, whiplash pain may also occur due to physical abuse and sports injuries. Whiplash injuries can cause you to experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disturbance.

Symptoms of whiplash

Headache
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Pain in the jaw and teeth
Dizziness, nausea and difficulty concentrating

Whiplash symptoms can be more severe if you've been injured in a car accident and had your neck snap back suddenly or were rear-ended by another vehicle. Soft tissue damage not only causes a range of motion issues but also back pain. A cervical collar is generally used to contain the pain and immobilise the area. Importantly, a whiplash injury may cause traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to some studies.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination to check for pain, tenderness, and mobility. Diagnostic tests are often necessary to confirm the diagnosis. These can include blood tests, MRI scans, CT scans and X-rays.

Treatments and drugs

Treatments for whiplash include physiotherapy, massage and chiropractic therapy. The effectiveness of these treatments is often limited by the severity of your injury, so talk to your doctor about options if you're not seeing any improvement after a few weeks. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories should also be taken if necessary to relieve pain.

FAQs

How long does whiplash take to heal?

It's impossible to say exactly how long it will take for your body to recover from whiplash because everyone heals at different rates. Some people recover within weeks, while others take months or even years. In general, however, most people who experience whiplash get better after about six weeks, but there are some exceptions—especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are older than age 50.

How serious is a whiplash injury?

Can whiplash heal on its own?

Whiplash can heal on its own. The biggest factor in whether or not your whiplash will heal is how quickly you seek treatment. If you don't seek treatment, the symptoms can last for weeks or months, but there are things you can do to help with the recovery process. If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately:

-Sensitivity to noise, light, or touch

-Neck pain that radiates down your arms and shoulders

-Trouble sleeping due to neck pain or stiffness

-Hearing loss or ringing in the ears

What is the whiplash injury self-care routine?

1. Rest your neck and upper back by taking a break from activities that require you to sit in one position for long periods. If possible, try to take breaks from sitting every few hours. If you have to sit for long periods, try to change positions frequently.

2. Try not to use your neck or upper back for any heavy lifting or bending.

3. Apply ice packs to the injured area for 10-15 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours after your accident (or until the pain subsides).

4. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by your doctor (for pain).

Does whiplash cause neurological problems?

Yes, whiplash can cause neurological problems such as dizziness, blurred vision or double vision, ringing in the ears or hearing loss (tinnitus), memory loss or confusion (amnesia), numbness or tingling in an arm or leg on one side of your body (paresthesia), difficulty speaking clearly (dysarthria), weakness on one side of your body (hemiparesis) or other problems with movement control, such as walking more slowly than usual. If whiplash symptoms persist for longer than two weeks after the initial injury, it's important to see your doctor.