Whiplash is the name given to the injury that results when the neck is jerked abruptly in one direction. This can occur due to a sudden trauma, in most cases a motor vehicle collision. Damage to the ligaments and tendons in the neck leads to characteristic stiffness and pain.
The symptoms produced can vary depending on the severity of the trauma which the neck has sustained. The most common symptoms are a stiff and painful neck that is difficult to move freely, muscle spasms, headaches, and referred pain that is felt in the shoulders, arms, or back. Usually the pain starts to become apparent 6-12 hours after the incident, and it may get progressively worse over the next several days.
Less commonly, one may experience such symptoms as numbness in the arms and hands, lower back pain, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo. Even more rarely, one may have memory, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms if experienced, should not last long, if they do, a physician should be consulted.
Motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause of this painful condition. However it can also happen as a result of other similar traumas to the head and neck, including a contact sports injury, a slip and fall incident such as tumbling down a staircase, or an intentional act of violence involving a blow to the head, such as a mugging.
Most physicians will diagnose the condition based on the patient's description of the his or her symptoms, and by simply performing a physical examination of the neck. The more details concerning the accident and nature of the pain that the patient can provide the doctor with, the better. If indicated, the patient may need to have an MRI, CT scan, or x-ray taken as well.
In many cases, this condition is "self-limiting", which means that it will typically improve over time with minimal treatment. Patients may take analgesics for the pain such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, if it is extreme, the doctor may prescribe a stronger drug like codeine. If the pain continues for more than six months, which is unusual, it may be chronic.
Even though movement is bound to be painful at first, patients are urged to keep the neck mobile as much as they can after the injury. The use of a neck brace is discouraged as this keeps it rigid. Recovery will be faster if the patient practices some gentle stretching exercises that will help restore the neck's normal range of motion. Yoga can be an effective healing tool.
Patients who suffer from persistent pain may find that it is having a negative impact on their regular work and leisure activities. In a case such as this, which is rare, the physician may refer the patient to either massage therapy, physiotherapy, or a combination of both. This approach can effectively restore normal movement to the neck.
The symptoms produced can vary depending on the severity of the trauma which the neck has sustained. The most common symptoms are a stiff and painful neck that is difficult to move freely, muscle spasms, headaches, and referred pain that is felt in the shoulders, arms, or back. Usually the pain starts to become apparent 6-12 hours after the incident, and it may get progressively worse over the next several days.
Less commonly, one may experience such symptoms as numbness in the arms and hands, lower back pain, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo. Even more rarely, one may have memory, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms if experienced, should not last long, if they do, a physician should be consulted.
Motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause of this painful condition. However it can also happen as a result of other similar traumas to the head and neck, including a contact sports injury, a slip and fall incident such as tumbling down a staircase, or an intentional act of violence involving a blow to the head, such as a mugging.
Most physicians will diagnose the condition based on the patient's description of the his or her symptoms, and by simply performing a physical examination of the neck. The more details concerning the accident and nature of the pain that the patient can provide the doctor with, the better. If indicated, the patient may need to have an MRI, CT scan, or x-ray taken as well.
In many cases, this condition is "self-limiting", which means that it will typically improve over time with minimal treatment. Patients may take analgesics for the pain such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, if it is extreme, the doctor may prescribe a stronger drug like codeine. If the pain continues for more than six months, which is unusual, it may be chronic.
Even though movement is bound to be painful at first, patients are urged to keep the neck mobile as much as they can after the injury. The use of a neck brace is discouraged as this keeps it rigid. Recovery will be faster if the patient practices some gentle stretching exercises that will help restore the neck's normal range of motion. Yoga can be an effective healing tool.
Patients who suffer from persistent pain may find that it is having a negative impact on their regular work and leisure activities. In a case such as this, which is rare, the physician may refer the patient to either massage therapy, physiotherapy, or a combination of both. This approach can effectively restore normal movement to the neck.
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