What Is Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash injury occurs when there is an abrupt and forceful exertion in a back-and-forth motion to your neck and head. Whiplash injury may also be referred to as a neck sprain or strain. The injury is due to the soft tissues of the neck extending beyond their normal range of motion.

Whiplash injury is commonly caused by vehicle crashes in which someone gets rear-ended. Other common causes include sports injuries, falls, physical abuse, or amusement park rides.

Symptoms from whiplash can show up immediately or may take a few hours or days to present. Typically, people with whiplash recover in a few weeks or months. The pain is usually managed by pain medication, rest, and exercises. In some cases, people may experience long-term neck pain or other complications.

Symptoms

Symptoms of whiplash can present immediately following the injury or may take a few days to develop. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, tenderness, stiffness in the neck (worsening with neck movement)
• Headache
• Aching in shoulders or arms
• Numbness or weakness in arms or shoulders (pins and needles or tingling)
• Muscle spasms in the arms or shoulders
• Loss of a range of motion in the neck
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Difficult swallowing
• Changes in hearing, vision, or smell
• Sleep difficulties

Causes

Whiplash injury occurs when the muscles and other soft tissues in the neck are forcefully extended beyond their normal range of motion. The force can cause damage to the soft tissue, leading to a neck strain or sprain. In some cases, the tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the neck may tear. Common things that may cause whiplash include:

• Car collisions (specifically being rear-ended)
• Sports injuries, specifically contact sports
• Falls
• Horseback riding
• Cycling
• Physical abuse
• Blunt force trauma to the head

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and about the event that caused the symptoms. Specifically, your provider will want to know the frequency, duration, and severity of your symptoms. A physical exam will also be performed, where your healthcare provider will test your range of motion, pain level with certain movements, reflexes, and whether you have any muscle weakness. In some cases, imaging tests may be recommended. Imaging tests may include:

• X-rays
• CT scan
• MRI

Treatment

Treatment for whiplash will be dependent on the severity of the injury. Some treatment plans may only require over-the-counter pain medication and exercises at home. Other treatment plans may require prescription pain medication, physical therapy, or other pain treatments. Recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. In some cases, people may experience long-term issues or complications.

Recovery

Recovery varies between individuals. Consistency with your treatment plan will dictate progress in recovery. Seeing a physical therapist and following their treatment plan can be an effective way to speed up recovery time. Recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. In some cases, people may experience long-term issues or complications.

Should I Go to the ER for Whiplash?

Although mild whiplash can usually be treated at home, if you have experienced a mild or moderate whiplash injury, it is important to be seen by your healthcare provider to rule out any other damage to the neck, such as a neck fracture, neck dislocation, or damage to the nerves. It is also important to note that some whiplash symptoms overlap with concussion symptoms. Whiplash does not necessarily cause a concussion, but it is something your healthcare provider can assess for.

How Long Does Whiplash Take to Heal?

Generally, whiplash symptoms resolve in a few weeks to a few months. In some cases, patients experience long-term issues or complications from their whiplash injury.

Preventing Whiplash

There are several measures you can take to prevent whiplash. Preventative measures include:

• Wear your seat belt properly
• Adjust your vehicle seat
• Drive safely
• Make sure to be in a safe position or posture while driving
• Play contact sports safely and wear appropriate protective gear
• Consult with your healthcare provider before riding roller coasters

Complications

Some people who suffer whiplash injuries go on to have chronic pain or headaches. In some cases, doctors may be able to determine if the chronic pain is due to damaged neck joints, discs, or ligaments. However, in most cases, there is no medical explanation for chronic pain following a whiplash injury.

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