Whiplash

Causes of whiplash

Whiplash is most commonly caused by a rear-end car collision.

Other causes of whiplash include:

• Bungee jumping
• Riding roller coasters
• Football or other high-impact sports
• High-impact activities where the head can be forced forward and then backward and the force is applied to the cervical spine
• Child abuse where the child is repeatedly shaken

Risk factors for whiplash

You may be at higher risk for whiplash if you:

• Drive aggressively
• Participate in high-impact sports like football or soccer
• Ride roller coasters at amusement parks

Symptoms of whiplash

Symptoms of whiplash are intense and include:

• Pain in the neck when moving it side to side or backward and forward
• Pain when looking over the shoulder
• Headaches that spread to the forehead
• Tightness in the neck and muscles that feel knotted
• Decreased range of motion in the neck

Diagnosis of whiplash

Whiplash is diagnosed in a full medical exam with your doctor. In most cases, your provider will order an x-ray, MRI or CT scan to rule out other conditions that could contribute to the pain.

• An x-ray can rule out fractures, arthritis or dislocation
• A CT scan can determine the extent of the damage
• A MRI can detect soft tissue injuries to the spinal cord, disks or ligaments

Treatments for whiplash

Whiplash should heal on its own within a few weeks. Initial treatments include:

• Ice — icing the neck will help reduce pain and swelling; if possible, ice the neck for 15 minutes every 3 to 4 hours.
• Brace — bracing the neck can help stabilize the muscles during early healing; however, do not use a brace long term as it can weaken the neck muscles.
• Medication — anti-inflammatory medication can help relieve pain and swelling associated with whiplash.
• Steroid injection — corticosteroid injection directly into the area that was impacted.
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation — physical therapy exercises can help improve muscle strength, posture and restore movement.
• Collar — your physician may prescribe a collar to help the neck remain in place during healing; because wearing it too long can weaken the neck, it is typically for only a few hours each day.

Recovery from whiplash

Most cases of whiplash heal within one to two weeks with home therapies. If you have a moderate whiplash injury, it may take four to eight weeks to completely heal. In severe cases, where there is nerve damage or disc injury, surgical intervention may be required.