WHIPLASH

A sudden force that rapidly moves the head backward, and then moves it rapidly forward can cause a whiplash injury. This movement stretches the neck muscles. The muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves of the neck can be injured. Whiplash is a common injury and occurs most often in motor vehicle accidents in which a person in a car is hit from behind by another car. Every year more than a million people are injured in this manner in the United States alone.

Symptoms include any of the following:

pain and stiffness in the neck, jaw, shoulders or arm
headaches
dizziness
nausea
numbness in the arm or hand and
rarely, visual problems

Whiplash is hard to diagnose. Because radiological tests, including x-rays, show only the bony structures of the body, they frequently do not reveal any damage. If you think you have whiplash, see your healthcare provider. The healthcare provider will evaluate your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and treat your situation to try to minimize the damage done by the whiplash injury and to speed up the healing process. Remember, a whiplash injury may require time to heal.

Self-care for neck pain:

Apply ice, a cold pack, or even a small bag of frozen vegetables (such as peas or corn) placed in a light towel to the sore area for 10-15 minutes every few hours. This will decrease inflammation and cramping.
Use heat or cold to help stop the symptoms, whichever one gives you the most relief. Alternating heat and cold may help.
Rest your neck by wearing a soft supportive collar or small towel roll pinned under the chin as needed for fatigue. Take care to preserve the normal curve of the neck when wearing a support.
Movement is important for healing. Move the head frequently and gently in all directions, as long as the movement is comfortable and not forced.
Massage the area gently.
Take an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin as directed and approved by your healthcare provider.

Drive safely and always wear a seat belt. See your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist for more than a few days.

Medication Cautions:

Do NOT give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or aspirin-containing products to anyone age 18 years or younger because of the risk of a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
Acetaminophen should not be taken by anyone with known liver or kidney disease. Do not drink alcohol when taking more than 1 dose of acetaminophen.
Take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with food or milk to prevent stomach irritation. Do NOT give NSAIDs to anyone with asthma or increased risk of bleeding (such as, ulcer disease, following surgery, significant trauma, major dental work, if taking blood thinners [anticoagulants] or have a known bleeding disorder).

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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