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Patient education: Whiplash (The Basics)

Patient education: Whiplash (The Basics)

What is whiplash? — Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when the head suddenly gets jerked forward and then backward. This injury usually happens from car accidents or sports injuries.

A whiplash injury can damage different parts of the neck (figure 1), such as the:

Ligaments – Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones.

Bones – The neck has 7 bones (called "vertebrae") that are stacked on top of each other.

Discs – Discs are cushions that sit between the bones.

Nerves – A bundle of nerves (called the spinal cord) travels down the middle of the spine. Nerves branch off from the spinal cord to all parts of the body.

Muscles – Muscles hold the head up and make the neck move.

What are the symptoms of whiplash? — Common symptoms include:

Neck pain

Muscle tightness or spasm

Being unable to move your neck or turn your head

Headache, especially in the back of the head

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Most people with whiplash do not need to seek medical help. In most people, symptoms go away without treatment. Still, see a doctor or nurse if:

Your symptoms are getting worse and are so severe that you cannot do normal activities (such as dress or eat).

Your symptoms don't improve after you treat them at home for a few weeks.

You have numbness or weakness in your arms or legs.

Will I need tests? — Probably not. Your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if you have whiplash by learning about your symptoms and doing an exam.

Some people with whiplash need tests. Depending on your symptoms and how long they have lasted, your doctor might do an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan. These are imaging tests that create pictures of the inside of the body.

How is whiplash treated? — Whiplash usually gets better on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But some people have symptoms for longer.

To help with your pain and symptoms, you can:

Take a pain-relieving medicine – You can use acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) or a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug ("NSAID"). NSAIDs include ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

Practice good posture – Don't carry bags by wearing their shoulder straps on your shoulder. Also, avoid sitting for too many hours at a time. When you do sit, sit up straight and keep your shoulders back. When you sleep, keep your head and neck in line with your body. You might have less pain if you sleep on your back with pillows under your thighs.

Do neck stretches and exercises – Your doctor will show you which stretches and exercises to do, and tell you how often to do them.

What if my symptoms are severe or don't get better? — If your symptoms are severe or don't get better, your doctor might recommend:

Medicines – Your doctor might prescribe stronger pain medicines. They can also prescribe medicines to relax your muscles. These medicines, called "muscle relaxants," can be particularly helpful for when you sleep.

Physical therapy (working with an exercise expert)

If these treatments don't help, your doctor will talk with you about other possible treatments.

What treatments are not helpful? — Most doctors do not recommend that people wear neck collars, especially for long periods of time. If you find that a neck collar eases your pain, wear a soft neck collar for less than 3 hours at a time. Wearing a neck collar for too long can make your neck muscles get too weak.

Other treatments that are not helpful include surgery or a treatment that pulls on the head to lengthen the neck (called "cervical traction").

More on this topic

Patient education: Neck pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Neck fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Headaches in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)

Patient education: Neck pain (Beyond the Basics)

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Feb 02, 2024.
Disclaimer: This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms. 2024© UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.
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