A – Z of Illnesses & Conditions

Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury that can occur during rear end automobile collisions, when your head suddenly moves backward and then forward similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip. These extreme motions push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion.

Whiplash injuries can be mild or severe. Treatment typically begins with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice applied to the painful neck muscles. Common symptoms of whiplash include:

•     neck pain and stiffness
•     tenderness over the neck muscles
•     reduced and painful neck movements
•     headaches 

If pain persists, prescription medications and physical therapy may be helpful. Most people recover from whiplash in just a few weeks but some people may develop chronic pain after a whiplash injury.

Visit your doctor if you've recently been involved in a road accident, or you've had a sudden impact to your head and you have pain and stiffness in your neck.