Whiplash (Neck Strain)

Whiplash is when sudden movement changes make your neck move in ways that cause injury. Usually, this is a sudden backward then forward neck movement. It leads to a form of neck (cervical) sprain.

Whiplash injuries can range from minor to severe. Most cases are minor and get better within a couple of weeks. At its worst, whiplash can break the vertebrae in your neck, creating a risk of spinal cord damage.

Symptoms of whiplash

Whiplash symptoms—in order of mild to severe — include:

• Stiffness and tenderness near the injury
• Neck pain that can spread to your head, face, shoulder and/or shoulder blade
• Muscle spasms that make it hard to move your head
• Swelling around the injury
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness in your neck, upper back, shoulders or upper arms
• Burning, tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling in your neck, upper back, shoulders or upper arms
• Headaches
• Vision problems
• Hoarseness or loss of voice and trouble swallowing
• Dizziness or vertigo

Some symptoms of a whiplash injury may begin right after a crash. Others take at least 12 hours to appear. Sometimes, it may take a full day or even a few days for all the symptoms to show up.

Whiplash causes

Whiplash happens when your head forcefully goes backward and then forward. That makes your neck compress or extend too quickly. It pushes the muscles, ligaments and bones of your spine beyond what they can handle.

The sharper and stronger the movement, the greater the force on your neck. Some of the most common events or activities that can lead to whiplash injuries include:

• Vehicle accidents, especially rear-end collisions
• Contact sports, like football, hockey and rugby
• Roller coasters
• Falls

Risk factors

Whiplash can affect anyone at any age. But it’s more likely to cause serious or lasting injuries in older adults and females. Adults over 65 are more prone to muscle and bone injuries due to age-related changes.

Compared to males, females are more likely to have whiplash-type injuries in car crashes. This may be due to factors like:

• Height and spine differences: Females have a shorter average height compared to males. They also have a different spinal column structure.
• Muscle differences: Females usually have less muscle tissue. That means they have less tissue to help absorb movement forces.
• Vehicle construction: Because females have a shorter average height, seat back and headrest height may affect them differently.

Complications of this condition

Severe cases of whiplash can lead to complications like chronic (long-term) dizziness, headaches and pain. These issues can interfere with your daily life.

How doctors diagnose this condition

Your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam and a neurological exam. They’ll ask questions about your symptoms, medical history and events that could have caused the whiplash.

Your provider will need to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Because of this, you may need a variety of tests, like:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans

These tests can also help diagnose any complications related to whiplash.

How is it treated?

The goal of treatment is to allow your neck to heal as much as possible on its own while minimizing symptoms. You may also need care for chronic issues that develop.

The most common treatments for whiplash include:

• Medications: Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxers can help manage symptoms.
• Cold and heat therapy: Your provider may have you apply hot or cold packs to your neck for the first seven to 10 days.
• Physical therapy: Guided exercises can help strengthen injured areas after they heal.
• Spine surgery: In rare cases, disk herniations or fractured vertebrae may need surgery.

Recovery time

Most people with a whiplash injury, especially a minor one, can recover within days or a few weeks. More severe whiplash injuries can take several weeks or even months to heal.

Some people develop long-term complications, like chronic pain. The timeline for recovery from chronic complications can vary widely.

What can I expect if I have this condition?

Whiplash is often a minor concern, causing temporary pain, soreness or stiffness. When it’s more severe, whiplash can cause long-term pain and complications.

In the most extreme cases, it can result in severe spinal injuries that can be permanently disabling or deadly. But these are also extremely rare thanks to advancements in safety equipment and engineering, especially in vehicles.