Whiplash is a soft tissue neck injury that can include:

• Spraining the neck ligaments
• Straining the neck muscles
• Injury to cervical discs
• Possible nerve injury

Process Leading to Whiplash

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Whiplash can occur with any sudden, violent, backward jerk of the head or neck.

Factors that may increase your chance of whiplash include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sporting events that include full contact
• Falls
• Assaults

Symptoms often develop in the hours after the injury although they can develop the days after the injury.

Symptoms may include:

• Stiff neck
• Neck pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Shoulder pain and stiffness
• Decreased range of neck motion
• Muscle spasms
• Headache
• Pain, numbness, or tingling extending down an arm
• Unusual fatigue

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Most whiplash injuries do not show up on imaging tests. Your doctor may order some tests to make sure that no other injuries have occurred.

Your doctor may want to take images of the neck to look for further damage. Images may be taken with:

• Neck x-rays
• CT scan
• MRI
• CT myelogram

An electromyogram may also be done to test for nerve damage.

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options may include:

• Use an ice pack for the first few days, then switch to a heat pack. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Place a towel between the ice or heat pack and your skin.
• Medications such as:
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers
  • Prescription pain relievers
  • Muscle relaxants
• Moving as able—strict rest may slow recovery
• Physical therapy and exercises
• Joint manipulation of the spine done by a chiropractor or other trained provider

If you are diagnosed with whiplash, follow your doctor's instructions.

There are no current guidelines for preventing whiplash. It often occurs due to an unexpected event.