Whiplash
What causes Whiplash?
A serious injury that occurs when the muscles and ligaments in the neck are strained due to an aggressive back-and-forth movement, whiplash damages bones, ligaments, muscles, and other tissues within the neck.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms begin to appear within 24 hours of sustaining an injury. They can persist for several days up to several months. Most people with whiplash experience:
- Neck pain that worsens with movement
- Pain in the shoulder, upper back, and / or arms
- Decreased range of motion
- Blurred vision
- Stiffness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Diagnosing Whiplash
An initial physical and verbal intake will be conducted. During this process, patients are asked how the injury was sustained and about the severity, duration, and frequency of symptoms. The head, neck, and arms are examined for tender areas / pain, reflexes, strength, and range of motion. Imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan will be ordered, if necessary, to rule out another contributing condition or problem.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Whiplash
Our goal when treating whiplash is to reduce pain and restore normal range of motion. For minor whiplash injuries, this can be accomplished as the area heals with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers. Substantial injuries, however, often require a more proactive approach; examples of such injuries are when ligaments are stretched too far, or when the joint itself is damaged. To address associated chronic pain and other debilitating, long-lasting symptoms, we may recommend biologic therapies or image-guided trigger point injections into painful muscles.
