How To Treat And Manage Whiplash

When your head jerks forward or backward suddenly, you are at risk for developing whiplash. This most commonly happens in a car accident, but any impact that jars your neck can cause it. Individuals who play contact sports, such as football, are also at a higher risk of developing whiplash. When your neck experiences sudden, unexpected force, the tendons and the muscles can stretch or even tear. After whiplash occurs, neck pain is the most common symptom. The pain can radiate down into the shoulders and back. Some individuals experience a reduction in their range of movement. Others feel a tingling or numbness that starts in the neck and goes down the back or arms. Get to know precisely how to treat and manage whiplash now.

Patient Education

One of the best things to do is to be aware of how to alleviate symptoms at home. In the days following the accident, or whatever caused the whiplash, use ice on the neck. This will help with the pain while also serving to reduce swelling. Ice packs can accomplish this by helping to close the small blood vessels in the area. Once the risk for swelling has passed, start alternating heat treatment with ice packs. If you experience whiplash, your doctor will likely advise you to avoid certain activities, at least at first. Surgery is often not needed for a whiplash injury. Patient education can help alleviate symptoms while the body heals itself.

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Soft Cervical Collar

Directly after the incident that caused whiplash, a soft cervical collar may be worn, usually for a minimum of two to three weeks, as it helps prevent further strain to the area. When whiplash occurs, damage happens to the soft tissues that are supposed to support your neck. This may be painful when these tissues are injured, which is why the soft cervical collar can be so useful in the first weeks after the injury. On top of helping your neck in supporting your head, these collars also limit movement, which is important while healing from whiplash. When a collar is called for, a doctor will explain to the patient how they should wear their collar. Examples of this include how many hours a day to have it on, if they can shower with it, should they sleep in it, and how to clean and care for it.

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