Does it hurt to turn your neck or maybe you get a tingly feeling? Maybe your neck muscles are always stiff and even a good massage doesn’t relieve the discomfort. You may think it’s only a neck strain or sprain, but it can also be whiplash.
So, how do you know if you’re suffering from whiplash and how do you treat the pain? We’ll look at the common causes of whiplash, your possible risk factors, and potential complications.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury but don’t confuse it with a strain or sprain—the terms are often used interchangeably, but they each refer to different disorders affecting the neck.
Whiplash is caused when a sudden force jerks your neck back and forth. Think of the motion a whip makes when cracked; this is also how the disorder gets its name.
Physical abuse, hard tackles in sports games, and vehicle collisions like rear-end crashes are common causes of whiplash. Even falling off a ladder or single-story roof can cause this type of neck injury.
The severity of the injury typically affects how long it takes to heal. Most individuals feel relief after a few weeks, but others may have lifelong neck pain. Other health complications can also be caused by severe whiplash injuries.
How do you know if you have a neck strain or whiplash? Sometimes, the only way to know for sure is to visit a healthcare professional. Even if your pain and discomfort are minimal or easily manageable, it’s still a good idea to see a physician.
If left untreated, the injury may not heal and now you’re dealing with additional health problems. Some common symptoms associated with whiplash are:
Neck pain and stiffness
Loss of or limited range of motion in the neck
Pain that worsens when you move your neck
Tiredness
Dizziness
Tingling or numbness in the arms
Headaches
You may also feel some pain around your shoulders, arms, and upper back. When whiplash pain is more severe, you may also have trouble sleeping, experience blurred vision, and have difficulty focusing.
Memory loss, depression, and ringing in your ears (tinnitus), are other more serious symptoms of a whiplash injury.
A few factors can increase your risk of developing whiplash or another type of neck injury. Rear-end vehicle crashes are a common cause of neck injuries.
A rear-end collision occurs when one car slams into the rear of a lead vehicle. The force of the impact can cause your neck to jerk violently back and forth. Whiplash can occur whether you’re in the lead vehicle or the car that hits the other from behind.
If you’re involved in an abusive relationship, your risk of developing whiplash significantly increases. Getting out of the abusive situation should be a priority for reasons beyond avoiding a neck injury. If you’re being physically abused, report the incident to the authorities. You’re taking steps to prevent whiplash and possibly saving your life.
Your love of contact sports is also increasing your risk for whiplash and other injuries. Hard tackles and even an accidental contact hit can generate enough force to cause whiplash.
If you feel pain in your neck, upper back, or shoulders, it’s a good idea to make an immediate medical appointment. Treating whiplash before it potentially worsens is an effective way of avoiding any potential complications.
Since whiplash is an injury affecting your neck, it can impact your freedom of movement. You may find it harder to move your arms, especially if you need to stretch to reach something up high.
The pain can spread from your neck down your arms, further limiting your range of motion. Simple tasks like typing on a keyboard may be almost impossible. Occasionally, the pain is so severe, it’s impossible to hold your head up. When the whiplash injury is this severe, it can impact every aspect of your life.
Your treatment plan for whiplash will have three goals. You want to control the discomfort, get your range of motion back, and return to your normal activities. To get you back to enjoying life without neck pain, your physician may prescribe a variety of treatments.
The treatments you’re prescribed will depend on the extent of your neck injury. You may only need to combine exercise with over-the-counter medications while others may need physical therapy.
If you’re prescribed a regimen of exercises, don’t panic. You don’t need to enroll in a gym or purchase a ton of home workout gear. Your exercises are limited to stretching. The goal is to loosen the muscles and tendons in your neck.
Your list of exercises may have you rotating and tilting your head from side to side. The goal is to restore the range of motion in your neck.
Whiplash injuries can be painful and part of your treatment is managing the discomfort. Along with getting plenty of rest, you may also be switching out hot and cold packs. Over-the-counter medications can also provide some temporary relief from the pain.
If your pain is intense, your physician may even prescribe medications like muscle relaxers and numbing shots. Prescription pain medications may also be used to help treat severe neck pain.
When your neck pain is continuous and your range of motion exercises aren’t helping, it may be time to visit a physical therapist. The therapist can walk you through various exercises to help restore neck movement and strengthen muscles.
How long you’re in physical therapy depends on the severity of your whiplash injury and how quickly you respond to the exercises.
If your whiplash injury is due to someone else's negligence, such as in a rear-end collision, you may have the right to pursue compensation for your damages. To understand your legal options and determine if you're eligible to file a personal injury claim, consult with an experienced accident attorney.
They can guide you through the process, helping you gather the necessary evidence and build a strong case. By taking action, you can seek the justice and compensation you deserve for your injuries.
