Whiplash Injuries and Related Neck Pain

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/10/12 - Updated: 2024/02/18
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Accidents and Disability - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Whiplash is the name for neck sprains to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spines and is commonly associated with vehicle accidents, usually when the vehicle has been hit in the rear. It has been documented that 2 in 3 people involved in vehicle accidents develop neck pain, many people are often surprised at having symptoms when the car crash was minor or happened at a very low speed.

Introduction

A whiplash injury can also occur during diving, sports, and many other everyday life pursuits. Whiplash can also be called neck sprain or a neck strain. The injury is referred to as "whiplash" due to the neck or back being thrown forwards and/or backwards.

Main Content

A whiplash injury can also be the result of stretching of the spine, in particular the ligament known as the anterior longitudinal ligament which is often stretched or tears, as the head snaps forward and then back again.

It has been documented that 2 in 3 people involved in vehicle accidents develop neck pain, many people are often surprised at having symptoms when the car crash was minor or happened at a very low speed.

Four(4) grades of Whiplash Associated Disorder (WADs) were defined by the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-associated disorders.

• 1 - Complaints of neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness only, but no physical signs are noted by the examining physician.
• 2 - Neck complaints and the examining physician finds decreased range of motion and point tenderness in the neck.
• 3 - Decreased range of motion plus neurological signs such as decreased deep tendon reflexes, weakness, insomnia and sensory deficits.
• 4 - Neck complaints and fracture or dislocation, or injury to the spinal cord.

The consequences of whiplash range from mild pain for a few days, to severe disability caused by restricted head movement or of the cervical spine, sometimes with persistent pain. Whiplash Injuries have been known to exacerbate pre-existing conditions, such as cervical spondylosis and other degenerative changes.

Symptoms can appear directly after the injury, but quite often are not felt until several days afterwards. One of the biggest dangers with whiplash injuries is that the symptoms may take years to develop. Most people recover from whiplash in a few weeks, but others can experience related pain and trouble for many years after. If you suspect a whiplash injury, some symptoms you may experience include:

• Tiredness
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Sleeplessness
• Blurred vision
• Ringing in ears
• Lower back pain
• Pain in the arm and/or hand
• Referred pain to the shoulders
• Numbness in the arm and/or hand
• Concentration or memory problems
• Pain and aching in the neck and back
• Sensory disturbance (such as pins and needles) to the arms and legs.

Few topics in the field of medicine are as controversial as diagnosing and treating whiplash injuries. Here are some Ways Whiplash can be Treated - A doctor should always be consulted first as there can sometimes be damage without any symptoms, or there can be delayed symptoms.

• Wearing of a cervical collar to prevent movement.
• Anti-inflammatory medications and/or muscle relaxing medications.
• Physical therapy, often involving gentle active movement after the first 24 hours.
• In the first 24 hours after the injury, an ice bag applied to the neck will help to relieve inflammation.
• Try to keep your neck moving as normally as possible. At first, the pain may be bad, and you may need to rest your neck for a day or so. However, try to exercise the neck gently as soon as possible. You should try not to let your neck stiffen up.

Information on How to File a Claim for a Whiplash Injury Information

Author Credentials: Ian is an Australian-born writer, editor, and advocate who currently resides in Montreal, Canada. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.