What is Whiplash?
A Primer on Neck Pain After an Accident or Injury
“You felt fine after the accident. Why are you experiencing pain now?”
“My friend recovered from whiplash within a few days. I’m sure it’s all in your head.”
Despite what others may think, whiplash is in fact a real thing. But it can be difficult to track because symptoms don’t necessarily begin immeidately after an accident or injury. They tend to evolve over weeks or even months, only showing themselves long after you thinkg you have recovered. Some of these symptoms may fade away as new ones develop. While most people fully recover from whiplash within three months, others may experience symptoms that last much longer and become chronic.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are suddenly forced backward and then forward, putting the cervical spine through extremely quick motions and extreme stress. Most cases of whiplash are caused by car accidents where the person has been rear-ended. Other potential whiplash causes can be from high-impact activities where extreme start and stop forces might be applied to the cervical spine.
What are symptoms of whiplash?
The most common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that gets worse with neck movement
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
- Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
- Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
- Fatigue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe Pain
- Neck Instability
- Pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness that radiates into the shoulder, arm, and/or hand
- Problems with balance or coordination
- Mental health issues, such as increased irritability, depression, trouble sleeping, reduced concentration, or other drastic changes in behavior
How to treat whiplash
It is important that you take steps to treat whiplash as soon as possible after an incident, as delaying treatment can reduce its effectiveness in some cases. If whiplash symptoms are mild to moderate, some self-care options typically include:
Rest
Take it easy for a few days after any accident or injury that may have involved your neck. As we discussed, aymptoms aren’t always apparent right away, so give your neck a break so you don’t acidentally make things worse. If a certain motion or activity further exacerbates your neck pain, avoid or limit that movement until your neck has more time to heal.
Ice / heat
In the first couple days following a whiplash injury, applying ice can reduce pain and swelling in the neck. During this time window, applying cold can temporarily close small blood vessels and prevent swelling from getting worse. Then, you can apply heat a few days after the injury has occurred. Heat stimulates blood flow to the affected area which can aid in the healing process.
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Some OTC pain relievers include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin. Acetaminophen can block pain receptors, and NSAIDs reduce inflammation.
Interventional pain management care
If you have more severe symptoms, or have tried at-home remedies with no success, schedule a consultation with a pain management clinic. Twin Cities Pain Clinic offers a variety of effective treatments to manage head and neck pain caused by whiplash.
Call: 952-841-2345
Online: Request an appointment
The contents of this article are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before engaging in any action or decision-making based on the content of this article. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of the content of this article or any other content on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website. Reliance on any information conveyed on the Twin Cities Pain Clinic website without direct consultation with a healthcare professional is solely at your own risk.
