Whiplash

Symptoms

Symptoms accompanying whiplash include neck pain and swelling, decreased motion, tenderness along the upper portion of the back and neck, muscle spasms and possibly headache.

Description

Whiplash is a sprain or strain of the muscles and ligaments in the neck (cervical spine) caused by sudden and forceful movement of one’s head in a backward-then-forward motion. This occurs most commonly from a deceleration injury, as seen in road traffic accidents.

Treatments for Whiplash

Mild cases of whiplash are typically treated with over-the-counter pain medication and ice applied to the injured areas. If pain continues, prescription medication, physical therapy or chiropractic care may be advised. As long as more serious lesions have been ruled out, appropriate treatment for whiplash involves appropriate rehab exercises, strategies for symptom relief and time. In severe cases, whiplash symptoms may persist to some degree for months or even years.