What Do I Do if I Get Whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury due to a rapid back-and-forth movement or jerking of the neck most commonly caused by a car accident. Most patients experience neck pain and stiffness, reduced range of motion in the neck and sometimes headaches that begin at the base of the skull. Most whiplash injuries will resolve within a few weeks to months. There are some whiplash injuries that can be more severe and cause damage to nerves or fractures in the spine.

If you have been involved in an injury that you think may have caused whiplash it is important to be evaluated by a medical practitioner. Depending on your symptoms, it may be necessary to obtain x-rays of your neck to rule out more severe injuries. Your provider may recommend an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen and/or a muscle relaxer to help alleviate your symptoms. In the first couple of days after a whiplash injury, ice is the best topical treatment because it helps to reduce the swelling from the injury. After the first few days, it is ok to alternate with ice and heat. Using heat can help to relax tight muscles. While ice and rest are best the first few days. After that, it is important to work on slowly regaining full range of motion with gentle stretching. Massage is ok as well to help relax tight muscles. For muscle spasms that persist, lidocaine or steroid injections can be used to decrease pain and inflammation.

With the appropriate treatment, you will most likely recover from a whiplash injury within a few weeks to a couple of months. Some patients who have a prolonged recovery may benefit from physical therapy to work on improving strength and mobility and addressing areas of concern where spasms persist.