What Is Whiplash? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs when an incident — such as a motor vehicle collision — causes your head to forcibly move forward and back, or vice versa, similar to the cracking of a whip.

The sudden motion can cause injury to the muscles, tendons, nerves, and discs of your neck. Depending on how serious these injuries are, symptoms of whiplash can be mild to severe.

Whiplash can cause any of a constellation of symptoms that can look like those of other conditions. Doctors often refer to these symptoms as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Some common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck stiffness that makes it difficult to turn your head
• Neck pain that may get worse with movement
• Headaches that often start at the base of your skull
• Dizziness
• Tenderness or pain in your shoulders or back
• Tingling, numbness, or pain in your arm or hand
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Sudden mood changes such as irritability, anxiety, nervousness, or depression
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears

If you experience any of these symptoms after an accident or trauma, see your doctor right away for an evaluation.

Automobile accidents are a primary cause of whiplash — particularly those involving a rear-end collision. But other incidents that snap your head in a forward or backward motion can also lead to this type of neck injury. Whiplash can also be caused by the following:

• Sports injuries, especially from contact or high-impact sports such as karate, football, boxing, gymnastics, or skiing
• Amusement park rides, such as a roller coaster, which can jerk your head quickly backward and forward
• Physical assault, such as punching or shaking. (This type of injury is commonly seen in shaken baby syndrome.)
• A fall

Using seat belts (and for kids, the correct child safety seat) properly is another factor that can play a role in how serious your whiplash injury may be.

To diagnose whiplash, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and the event that caused the injury. They will do a physical examination that will probably involve asking you to perform simple tasks to test a range of motion in your neck and shoulders. Your doctor may also try to determine the location and severity of your pain and look for tenderness in your neck, shoulders, and back; check your reflexes; and evaluate the strength and sensation in your limbs. They may also order scans, including:

• X-Ray Your doctor may order X-ray imaging right after your injury if they suspect you may have a fracture or damage to the spine. X-rays may also be used in patients whose symptoms don’t improve several weeks after the injury.

  

• MRI Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, may be used to look for injury to the spinal cord or discs.
• CT Scan A computerized tomography, or CT scan, can show detailed images of your bones and muscles, and can help doctors diagnose neck pain.

Prognosis of Whiplash

Many people with whiplash recover within a few weeks to a few months; others can experience chronic and long-lasting symptoms like persistent pain, even after receiving treatment such as pain medication and physical therapy.

Depending on the severity of your neck injury, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

• Rest
• Ice or heat
• Over-the-counter or prescription medications to treat pain and inflammation
• Cervical collar
• Stretching exercises and physical therapy to increase range of motion

Medication Options

Treatment for whiplash can include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat pain and inflammation, as well as antidepressants and muscle relaxants.

Complementary and Integrative Approaches

But whatever complementary therapy you may consider, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any program or technique.

Prevention of Whiplash

Since motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of whiplash, adhering to safe driving practices, including using seat belts properly, not driving while distracted, and adjusting your headrest to the correct height, may help prevent injury.

While many people fully recover within three months of their injury, others may experience ongoing neck pain and headaches for several months or even years.

Some conditions linked to whiplash include:

• Depression Pain can affect your mood and emotions, and depression has been associated with common symptoms of whiplash such as neck pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling in the arms and hands, and vision problems.

  

• Cognitive Problems People with whiplash can experience trouble with concentration or memory due to pain, medication side effects, or a mild brain injury.

  

• Changes in Muscle and Motor Function Whiplash has been associated with neuromuscular changes such as loss of balance, loss of muscle strength, impaired movement, and loss of eye movement control.

  

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) While PTSD has commonly been associated with severe injuries following a car accident, there is also evidence that it may be present in people who experience less severe road accidents involving whiplash injuries.

  

North American Spine Society

This organization comprises healthcare professionals who specialize in the care and treatment of the spine. They offer a detailed overview of whiplash injuries, from facts about the anatomy of the spine to symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the condition.

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

This site offers good, basic facts about neck sprain and features links to other related information pages on cervical fracture (broken neck), neck pain, and more, all from the perspective of orthopedic surgeons.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

This National Institutes of Health page gives a good basic rundown of whiplash symptoms and also provides links to additional information on patient organizations, publications, and clinical trials.