Whiplash

Symptoms of Whiplash:

The symptoms of neck sprain and strain vary widely. You can experience the effects of the injury soon after the accident or a few days later. The commonest symptoms are:

• Intense pain in the neck, back, and the shoulder
• Muscle spasm or moving the muscles randomly and uncontrollably
• Fatigue due to overexertion
• Stiffness in the neck difficulty in turning it around
• Anxiety and problems with memory
• Lower back pain
• Pain the arms
• Dizziness and swallowing difficulties
• Blurred vision
• A feeling of spinning or moving like in vertigo
• Sleep disturbances and ringing in the ears

Among the commonest symptoms, neck pain that worsens with movement is prominent. Patients may also experience loss of motion in the neck region and headache beginning at the skull base. Pain or stiffness when moving the head to look over the shoulder can also be seen in some patients. Usually, the symptoms are complicated and numerous, so neck sprain and strain are called whiplash-associated disorders.

Causes of Whiplash:

Neck sprain and strain commonly occur due to a car accident, and the injured person is in a stationary car that is hit from behind. Usually, the rear impact causes the head to forcefully move forward and backward when an individual is pushed out of the car seat. The neck may initially fall backward and forward after the blow from behind and recovers after a while. However, the forceful motion injures the bones in the spine, ligaments, nerves, muscles, disks between the bones, and the neck tissues. The injury can result from:

• Physical assault when a person is badly shaken or punched
• Rear-end auto collision
• Collisions when playing contact sports like football
• Cycling accident or falling during a horse-back ride
• Falls that cause the head to move backward suddenly
• Riding a roller coaster or other rides in the amusement park

When to see a physiotherapist for Whiplash:

Patients need to book an appointment with a physiotherapist soon after the injury to get a treatment plan. Physical therapy is an efficient treatment option for a neck sprain and strain when combined with other treatments, such as medication and braces. The therapist coordinates with the patient to restore the function and movement of the neck tissues. Primarily, the therapy includes active and passive treatments. While the active mode of treatment includes exercises to strengthen the body, the passive treatments help the body relax. The common therapeutic treatment modes are:

• Applying ice for the first three days after the injury and heating the area for about fifteen minutes every two hours.
• Correcting the posture in a specific way and tensing into the pain guard the neck
• Mild movements are permissible, but the affected area needs rest

Risks of Whiplash:

Most people feel better or recover gradually after whiplash, but the effects of injury are long-lasting for many. The pain may continue for several months or years after the injury. The recovery mode of each person can differ after the injury. Initially, people feel intense pain in the neck region, and the complications that occur are:

• Restricted motion
• Pain spreading to the arms
• Lack of functionality of the brain
• Memory loss or focusing issues
• Insomnia or difficulty in sleeping and staying asleep for long
• Sudden changes of mood and feelings of anxiety or depression without a valid cause.

The risk factors or complications may arise in people with previous neck strain or sprain, older people, or those with existing low back or neck pain

How to prevent Whiplash:

Neck sprain or strain occurs suddenly, so it is difficult to prevent the injuries. However, wearing a seat belt when in the car can prevent injuries from becoming serious.

Treatments of Whiplash:

While the injury may heal without treatment, the following measures can expedite the recovery.

• Applying ice on the neck reduces pain and swelling after the injury for about fifteen minutes every day for about three to four times.
• Taking painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs helps manage pain but the medicines need to be taken under a doctor’s supervision.
• Applying moist heat to the neck with a warm and wet towel after two to three days of applying the ice pack.
• Ultrasound and massage
• Using a neck brace or collar supports the neck, but it is not suggested for long-term use

Related Disorders:

Several neck injuries may result from falls, accidents, or direct blows, such as repetitive strain, nerve pinch injury, vertebral fracture, disk injury, and spinal cord damage.