Whiplash is sometimes referred to as a sprained neck or neck strain. It is an acute injury to the neck, usually caused by a high velocity injury (such as a Motor Vehicle Accident). Whiplash is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck. In whiplash, the intervertebral joints (located between vertebrae), discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged.
What Causes Whiplash?
Whiplash is caused by an abrupt backward and/or forward jerking motion of the head.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
- Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
- Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue
Typical treatments include – anti-inflammatories, Ice, rest, muscle relaxers. In some cases physical therapy can be beneficial along with injection therapy. In persistent cases of pain, facet blocks and/or radio-frequency ablations can provide great benefit.