Treatment for individuals with whiplash may include pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and a cervical collar (usually worn for two to three weeks). A range of motion exercises, physical therapy, and cervical traction may also be prescribed. Supplemental heat application may relieve muscle tension.
This answer is based on source information from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Whiplash is an injury to the neck. Muscles, ligaments, and other tissues in your neck normally move within a certain range of motion. When they are suddenly stretched too far, whiplash is the neck pain that results.
Whiplash has several symptoms that may develop shortly after an injury. Neck pain is common and may become worse if you move. Neck stiffness and body fatigue may develop over the course of 24 hours. Headaches, dizziness, and blurry vision can also result from whiplash. Occasionally, people experience problems with memory or sleep or hear a ringing sound in their ears.
To diagnose whiplash, your doctor will likely ask you how your neck was injured. The doctor may measure how far you can move your neck, and different parts of your neck will be checked to see where you are most tender. Neck pain can also be a sign of other problems (like injuries to the spinal cord or nerve roots in the spinal column), so your doctor may order additional tests to make sure your spine is okay. Some of these tests could include x-rays, computerized tomography (CT scan), and possibly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Generally, chances of recovery for individuals with whiplash are good. The neck and head pain clears within a few days or weeks. Most patients recover within three months after the injury, however, some may continue to have residual neck pain and headaches.
This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The stiffness and pain from whiplash may affect your neck for days, months, or even years. The neck is connected to muscle groups in the head, chest, arms, and shoulders - those areas may also feel pain shortly after the neck injury. Some additional effects can take hours and weeks to notice. These can include dizziness, headaches, and overall body fatigue.
Certain activities and events are more likely to strain your neck muscles and ligaments, which can result in whiplash. Activities like contact sports and events like rear-end auto collisions can increase your risk for whiplash. Additionally, women are more likely than men to have whiplash. This may be because men often have stronger neck muscles than women.