Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the head and neck (usually) due to a sudden unrestrained acceleration-deceleration force. This rapid back-and-forth movement like pulling back a whip, leads to overstretching of the surrounding soft tissues. This injury is common resulting from motor vehicle accidents. It is possible to injure the lower back from whiplash, especially when there is an underlying lower back condition prior to the accident.

Symptoms of Whiplash

It is possible for symptoms to develop days after the accident, which includes:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Increased pain with neck movement
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Headache (usually arise from the base of the skull)
• Tingling or numbness down the arms
• Dizziness

Treatment for Whiplash

Treatment for whiplash usually requires rest and medication such as painkillers and muscle relaxant. However, pain can become chronic if left untreated. Physiotherapy is recommended to shorten the recovery time and prevent further disability. Recovery with physiotherapy typically takes a couple of weeks.