The most common type of motor vehicle collision in the U.S. is a rear-end collision. These types of accidents happen when a vehicle strikes another car in front of it. The impact of a rear-end collision can cause whiplash injuries to the occupants of the front vehicle. This type of injury is very common following a rear-end collision and can also occur in other types of crashes when a person’s head and neck are thrown back and forth in a jerking motion.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck, shoulders, and upper back. It occurs when someone’s head is forced to suddenly move forward and backward with a significant degree of force. This type of injury commonly occurs in a rear-end auto accident, but it can also happen on amusement park rides, during sports, or from physical assaults. A whiplash injury happens when the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of your neck and upper back extend beyond their normal range of motion. You might not experience symptoms for several hours or days since whiplash typically shows delayed symptoms. Any time you are involved in a car crash, it is a good idea to see a doctor immediately for a medical examination to identify any injuries you might have suffered, including whiplash. Getting a prompt diagnosis and early treatment can help you recover faster from your injuries. While most people think that whiplash is relatively mild, it can be severe and cause lasting discomfort and pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Whiplash symptoms typically develop within a few days of an accident and can include the following signs:
- Reduced range of motion in the neck
- Stiff neck
- Painful neck
- Pain that worsens when you move your neck
- Headaches that start at the base of your skull
- Pain in the arms, upper back, and shoulders
- Numbness/tingling in the arms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Some people also report the following symptoms of whiplash:
- Tinnitus
- Blurry vision
- Irritability
- Sleep problems
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
- Depression
When Should You See Your Doctor?
It is a good idea to see your doctor as soon as possible after any motor vehicle collision. At a minimum, you should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms of whiplash following a car crash. Getting a prompt diagnosis can help you to recover faster, and it can also help to rule out other damage or broken bones that could worsen your symptoms.
How Whiplash is Diagnosed
When you see your doctor, they will ask you questions about your accident and the symptoms you are experiencing. Your doctor might also ask you questions to understand the severity of your symptoms and their frequency. You will be asked questions about your ability to perform routine tasks since your collision and whether your symptoms interfere. After asking questions, the doctor will then do several things to diagnose or rule out whiplash.
Physical Examination
Your doctor will physically examine your head, neck, shoulders, and arms. They will touch and move your neck, head, and arms. Your doctor will also ask you to perform simple tasks to check your range of motion in your shoulders and neck, the degree of motion that increases or causes pain, any areas of tenderness in your upper back, shoulders, or neck, the sensation, and the strength, and reflexes in your arms.
Imaging Tests
While whiplash can’t be identified on imaging tests, your doctor will still likely order them to rule out other types of injuries such as herniated discs or fractures. The imaging tests that might be ordered include x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI). These tests can help to diagnose dislocations, fractures, arthritis, bone damage, spinal cord injuries, and disc injuries.
Treatment of Whiplash
If you are diagnosed with a whiplash injury, the goal of your treatment will be to restore your normal range of motion, control pain, and return you to your normal routine as soon as possible. The treatment plan your doctor will create will depend on the severity of your whiplash injury. Some people with mild injuries will do fine with over-the-counter pain relievers and rest. Others might require prescription pain relievers and physical therapy.
Pain Management Methods
You might be told to do one or more of the following things to reduce the pain caused by your whiplash injury:
- Rest for a couple of days
- Apply heat or cold to the neck for 15 minutes every few hours
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, including acetaminophen, sodium naproxen, or ibuprofen for mild or moderate pain
- Take prescription antidepressants for more severe pain
- Take prescription muscle relaxers to loosen your muscles and reduce pain
- Receive lidocaine injections
- Perform specific types of exercise
Most people who suffer whiplash injuries are prescribed stretching exercises to perform at home. These exercises help to loosen your muscles and restore your range of motion so that you can return to your normal activities. Your doctor might recommend that you apply heat to the tender area before you exercise.
Some of the types of exercise you might be encouraged to perform include the following:
- Bending your neck and head toward your chest
- Leaning your head from side to side
- Rotating your head and neck in both directions
- Rolling your shoulders forward and backward
Physical Therapy
If your pain persists, or your range of motion continues to be limited, your doctor might refer you to a physical therapist. Physical therapy might include multiple exercises designed to increase your muscle strength, improve your posture, and restore your normal movement.
A physical therapist might also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, which applies a mild electrical current to your skin. Some research has shown that this type of treatment can improve muscle strength and ease neck pain. The number of appointments that you might need to have will depend on your injuries. You might also be given a tailored exercise routine to do at home in between your visits.
Collar
In the past, doctors commonly prescribed soft cervical collars to patients with whiplash injuries to hold their head and neck still. However, researchers have found that collars are contraindicated if they are worn too long because they can interfere with your recovery. Your doctor might still recommend you wear a foam collar for a couple of days to help reduce pain. Your doctor will tell you how to use a collar and how long to do so.
Acupuncture
Some people report a reduction in pain by undergoing acupuncture. This involves the insertion of tiny needles in specific areas.
Chiropractic Treatment
Many patients see chiropractors following whiplash injuries. A chiropractic doctor will manipulate your joints to help relieve pain.
Massage
You might receive some short-term relief from whiplash pain through gentle massage. Massage should be used in combination with other treatments instead of as a standalone treatment.
Yoga and Tai Chi
Exercises such as Tai Chi or yoga might also be helpful for reducing pain and restoring your range of motion through gentle movements. They might also help to increase your muscle strength and improve your state of mind.
What to Do Before Your Appointment
If you begin experiencing some of the symptoms of whiplash following a car crash, you should make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. You should be prepared to discuss in detail your accident and your symptoms. Think about how you might rate your pain on a scale of one to 10 and whether movement causes your pain to worsen. List any symptoms you are experiencing and how long after your collision they first appeared. You should also tell your doctor about any medications you have taken to try to relieve your pain and whether they were effective. Make sure to bring a list of all of the medications you regularly take, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, and herbal supplements.
Whiplash injuries are common following car accidents. However, even though they happen frequently, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are always minor. If you are experiencing possible whiplash symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment to get you back to your normal routine faster.
