There are many types of car accident injuries affecting different parts of the body. One of the parts that easily get injured due to the impact of an accident is the neck. The type of injury around the neck area is known as whiplash.

The neck is designed to handle an average force of 45-88 lbs. However, when a car moving 15km/h gets into a collision, the impact can introduce up to 160 lbs to the body. This kind of force is too heavy and can cause damage to the ligaments, tendons, and all the muscles supporting the neck.

This guide will discuss everything you need to know about whiplash injuries, their causes, symptoms, and complications.

What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury around the neck due to an impact or sudden force. When a rear-end accident occurs, the head is forced into a back-and-forth movement like a whip. Whiplash also occurs as a result of a fall during a sporting event or an assault due to physical abuse.

Whiplash causes injuries to the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues in the neck. When too much force is applied to your neck during the vigorous back-and-forth movement, the ligaments, muscles, and tendons will overstretch or sprain.

This will cause a lot of pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders and can also spread to your back, depending on the severity.

The pain and discomfort caused by whiplash may disappear within a few days with simple medication and exercise. However, in severe trauma, the injury may cause a lot of pain and long-lasting complications to the victim.

Causes of Whiplash Injury

The neck is usually flexible and unstable. Instability can sometimes force it to move without full control of the body.

When the neck forcefully moves back and forth, it causes injuries which can result in a lot of pain. Some common forces that cause whiplash injuries include:

Rear-end collision

Whiplash is prominent in rear-end collisions because the accident places too much acceleration force more than the neck muscles are designed to handle.

A rear-end collision causes rapid movement at a high-speed forcing the head to move back and forth. This movement causes damage to the neck muscles.

Falls

Another common cause of whiplash is a fall that mostly happens from slip and fall accidents or contact sports.

Even a minor slip and fall can happen very quickly and at a very high-speed causing the neck to move around.

Contact sports such as rugby, boxing, or football can also generate force and cause whiplash.

Physical assault

Whiplash injuries can also occur if you’re physically assaulted, and your head or neck is severely injured.

The head can move back and forth if you’re severely shaken or punched. If you feel a lot of pain around the neck and shoulders after an assault, you most likely suffer whiplash.

Signs and Symptoms of Whiplash

The discomfort and pain from whiplash can start immediately after the accident or take days before you can feel something. At times, you might not experience any symptoms, but at other times, the pain may be severe to handle.

In most cases, you may feel discomfort around your neck and shoulder after the injury. The pain usually starts and becomes more severe 6 to 12 hours later.

The pain and swelling may get better or worse as days go by. In worse cases, the pain goes all the way from the neck region to the back, causing a lot of discomfort.

If you’re involved in any form of accident and suffered whiplash, here are some common signs and symptoms to look for:

Neck and shoulder pain
Stiffness and swelling in the neck.
Discomfort when moving your neck.
Muscle weakness or spasm
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating or memory problems.
Blurred vision
Dizziness or a spinning feeling
Difficulty in swallowing
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability
Numbness or tingling in your arm and hand.
Tiredness or fatigue

Whiplash Complications

Whiplash may not have long-lasting complications, and the discomfort can disappear within a few days. However, every situation is different; some people may experience pain and discomfort for several months or years.

Two people may be involved in the same accident and suffer whiplash injuries, but one may recover faster than the other. Some of the factors that determine how soon you recover from the injuries include:

Your age
Previous whiplash injury
Overall health
Existing back and neck pain
Physical fitness
Cause of injury
The extent of your injury
Your tolerance to medicine or therapy

How to Treat Whiplash

As much as whiplash pain can go away within a few days, seeking help is still important. Some common treatment methods for whiplash include:

Ice pack application: This is the common first aid for any injury that might cause swelling. An ice pack may help reduce the discomfort if you apply it immediately after the injury.
Stay active: Don’t lie in bed the whole day if you have a whiplash injury, as this will only make your neck stiffer and cause headaches. You may recover faster if you carry out most of your activities as normal.
Mind your posture: Poor posture may worsen the symptoms associated with whiplash. Always keep your back straight when walking or sitting. Avoid sitting in the same position for a long time and take breaks from your desk work.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy involves the use of several techniques, including massage, exercise, and manipulation, to regain your body’s movement. Working with a professional physiotherapist can also help you learn how to move and exercise without injuring your neck further.
Adapt your activities: You may need to adapt to certain activities and avoid some if you suffer a whiplash injury. If you’re a sports person, avoid playing for some days until you recover. You can also consider doing light work and avoiding heavy lifting until your neck pain improves.

Summary

A whiplash injury can be mild or severe, depending on individual circumstances and the nature of the accident. The pain may go away in just a few days, or it may take several months to achieve full recovery.

Seek medical help even if you don’t feel a lot of discomfort after the accident because the discomfort and pain may take several hours or days to show. A medical examination which usually includes X-rays can determine if you’re severely injured or not. Also, avoid heavy lifting or any movement that may worsen your condition during the recovery period.