Whiplash
What is whiplash?
Whiplash neck sprains are common and, while the length of recovery can vary, the prognosis is very good in most cases. This page will give you practical advice on simple strategies to optimise your recovery.
Whiplash is a type of neck sprain which occurs when your head is suddenly jolted in a whip-like movement or is forcibly rotated. A common cause is being involved in a road traffic accident where your vehicle is hit by another. Some people are surprised at having symptoms even after a minor road traffic accident. A whiplash can also occur after a sporting injury, or even with everyday activities such as jolting the neck when you trip or fall.
Symptoms may include
- Pain and stiffness in the neck. Turning or bending the neck may be difficult.
- It may take several hours after the accident for symptoms to appear. The pain and stiffness often become worse on the day after the accident.
- You may also feel pain or stiffness in the shoulders or down the arms and upper part of the back.
- Some people feel tired, irritable and struggle to concentrate for a few days.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you experience:
- A loss of feeling (numbness) or persistent pins and needles in part of your face, an arm or hand.
- Weakness or difficulty coordinating your arms or legs.
- Problems with walking or sitting upright.
- Persistent dizziness, fainting, double vision or problems with your speech or swallowing.
- An “electric shock” feeling in your neck/back which may go into your arms/legs.
3 facts about whiplash
Scans may be required if there is a loss of sensation and power in the arms, significantly restricted neck movement, particularly if there has been a significant traumatic injury, but they are unhelpful at showing the cause of neck pain in most cases.
Learning to relax the neck and to move the neck in all directions is not only safe, but it’s also healthy for the neck. Pain on movement is not a sign that you’re causing yourself harm.
Immobilising the neck (such as using a neck collar) may avoid pain in the short term but it will likely make the problem worse in the long term. The health of the neck is maintained through regular relaxed movement and maintaining the strength of the neck and upper limb muscles.