Long Term Effects Of Whiplash: Therapy & Treatment Options

What Is Whiplash

Whiplash is when the neck is injured due to forceful movements such as forward and backward bending. Whiplash often occurs during motor vehicle accidents but can also be due to physical assault, trauma or sports. This neck injury affects many neck structures such as tendons, discs, muscles, and nerves.

How is the diagnosis made?

The diagnosis is based on medical history, physical examination, and tests. The physical examination includes checking for pain and tenderness, range of movement, and reflexes. The tests include radiological imaging such as x-rays, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. However, sometimes the diagnosis can be made with history and physical examination alone, and tests are not required.

Manifestations of whiplash

When one experiences a whiplash, the signs and symptoms occur within days of the injury. Besides neck pain, the symptoms include the following: neck stiffness, decrease or loss of neck movement, pain worsening upon movement, headache or dizziness. Some people experience symptoms such as blurry vision, disturbed sleep, tinnitus, impaired concentration and memory, and depression.

Treatment and therapy options

The chosen treatment would depend on the injury severity, and a doctor would advise the best treatment. The treatment choices include: rest, applying heat or cold compression, pain-killers, muscle relaxants or steroid injections. Performing gentle neck movements the day after a whiplash injury may help. However, following the doctor’s advice is more accurate and safe.

Long-term effects and prevention

After treating a whiplash injury, some people may recuperate within a few weeks. Some people suffer the long-term effects of whiplash. The long-term effects include chronic severe neck pain, radiating pain to the upper limbs, and restricted range of movement. However, a poor outcome may depend on some risk factors such as older age, pre-existing neck pain, and previous whiplash injury. Prevention may be difficult but wearing a seat belt when inside a vehicle may prevent whiplash from occurring.

Red flags that suggest calling a doctor

After a whiplash injury, consulting a doctor is necessary. However, there are other reasons to call a doctor after a whiplash, such as no improvement after 2 weeks or sleep disturbances. Contacting a healthcare professional is crucial to rule out any broken structures that may exacerbate the condition later.