WHIPLASH

 WHIPLASH

Whiplash is a term used to describe a neck injury which is usually caused by an abrupt, forceful motion of the cervical spine, and the supporting muscles and soft tissues. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of whiplash injury. Hyperflexion and hyperextension of the cervical vertebrae causes the spine to cause an S-shaped curve.

Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain or stiffness, headache, back ache or pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders and arms.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward suddenly with great force. This injury is most common following a rear-end car collision. It can also result from physical abuse, sports injuries, or amusement park rides. Whiplash results when the soft tissues (the muscles and ligaments) of your neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. Your symptoms might not appear for a while, so it’s important to pay attention to any physical changes for a few days following any accident.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of whiplash usually develop within days of the injury, and may include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Worsening of pain 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
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

Some people also have:

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sleep disturbances
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Depression

How is whiplash diagnosed?

Most mild to moderate cases of whiplash can be treated at home using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, ice, and other remedies. However, you should seek medical help if you have the following symptoms:

• pain or stiffness in the neck that goes away and then returns
• severe neck pain
• pain, numbness, or tingling in your shoulders, arms, or legs
• any issues with your bladder or bowels
• localized weakness in an arm or leg

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have any neck pain or other whiplash symptoms after a car accident, sports injury or other traumatic injury. It's important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to rule out broken bones or other damage that can cause or worsen symptoms.

Causes

Whiplash typically occurs when your head is forcefully and quickly thrown backward and then forward. This motion can injure bones in the spine, disks between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues of the neck.

A whiplash injury may result from:

• Auto accidents. Rear-end collisions are a major cause of whiplash.
• Physical abuse or assault. Whiplash can occur if you are punched or shaken. It's one of the injuries seen in shaken baby syndrome.
• Contact sports. Football tackles and other sports-related collisions can sometimes cause whiplash.

Treatment for whiplash

The treatments for whiplash are relatively simple. Doctors will often prescribe an OTC pain medication like Tylenol or aspirin. More severe injuries may require prescription painkillers and muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasms. In addition to medication, physical therapy plays a crucial role in recovery. You may want to apply ice or heat to the injured area and practice simple exercises to build strength and flexibility in your neck. Practice good posture and learn relaxation techniques to keep your neck muscles from straining and to help with recovery. You might also be given a foam collar to keep your neck stable. Collars should not be worn for more than three hours at a time. They should only be used the first couple of days after your injury, as well.

Alternative remedies

You may also want to try alternative remedies to treat pain. Some include:

• chiropractic care
• massage, which may relieve some of the tension in the neck muscles
• electronic nerve stimulation, which involves a gentle electric current that may help reduce neck pain
• acupuncture, though no studies confirm acupuncture’s ability to ease neck pain