WHIPLASH
A passenger in a motor vehicle in a rear end collision may suffer a whiplash injury to the neck, where the impact forces the person’s head back and then forward at great speed. This can over stretch the neck and upper back region, resulting in a strain or tear to the supporting ligaments, muscles and discs, and even irritating the nerves. The common symptoms of a whiplash injury are pain, stiffness and headache. Recovery depends on the individual and extent of the injury, but can take at least three weeks. Treatment options may include:
- Pain-killing medication
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants
- Icepacks for three days
- Gentle mobilisation exercises
- The use of ultrasound by a physiotherapist
- Gentle soft tissue mobilisation from a physiotherapist.
If pain persists, an X-ray examination may be required.
TREATMENT
- A brief period of resting (48-72 hours) the neck muscles will help alleviate the initial pain and spasm of the neck muscles after whiplash.
- Allowing the muscles and ligaments around the cervical spine to rest and recover is an important aspect of treatment. This can be assisted by the use of a neck brace.
- However, prolonged rest may be ill-advised, because of resulting stiffness.
- If resting does not alleviate symptoms of whiplash, you should have further evaluation by your doctor or physiotherapist.
- Apply ice packs and heat pads intermittently
- Try an anti-inflammatory medication
- Physiotherapy treatment
If it is clear that your symptoms are due to a simple neck strain or ligament sprain, then these steps should help your condition. It is important, however, to know the cause of the symptoms, because more than just whiplash can cause neck pain.
OTHER SYMPTOMS RELATED TO YOUR NECK
There are many other conditions that can cause neck pain, some of which are serious and require medical attention. While the most common cause of these symptoms are whiplash or neck strain, there are other signs to watch for that could indicate other problems:
- Weakness of the hands or arms
These symptoms may be due to compression of the spinal cord or the spinal nerves which exit the cord. Some causes of this include herniated discs and spinal stenosis.
- Numbness or abnormal sensations in the hands and arms
Again, these symptoms can be cause by injury to the spinal cord or nerves. If these symptoms are present, then you should have further evaluation.
- Pain accompanied by unusual weight changes or fevers
It is important that neck pain accompanied by these symptoms, as well as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fevers, chills, or sweats, be further evaluated. While it is unusual, these can be the first signs of infections or tumors.
- Lack of improvement over time
Any problem such as this that does not improve over time should be further evaluated. If the initial diagnosis is whiplash, but the neck continues to be problematic, further evaluation should take place.
There are chronic conditions (such as arthritis and osteoporosis) and acute problems (such as fractures) that can cause symptoms similar to a neck strain. If your symptoms worsen instead of improve, or if they are not relieved with rest, you should see a doctor.
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