Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhiplash Neck PainOther Neck InjuriesEvaluation and DiagnosisTreatment OptionsSelf-Care and Home RemediesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Whiplash Neck Pain
Other Neck Injuries
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Treatment Options
Self-Care and Home Remedies
Prevention
Neck pain is one of the common symptoms after a car accident.Pain involving the neck area after a car accident can range from mild to severe—and may last for just a few days before resolving on its own or could be a sign of a serious injury.
While you will likely need urgent medical attention for severe neck pain, it’s also important to get an evaluation for mild neck pain after a car accident. A physical examination can help determine whether mild neck pain is a sign of an injury that requires medical care. Treatment can provide pain relief and will help you heal more quickly.
This article will help you know what to do if you’re experiencing pain after a car accident.
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What Causes Neck Pain After a Car Accident? Understanding Whiplash
Whiplashis the most common type of neck injury after a car accident.Whiplash can happen when your neck jerks suddenly—usually as a moving car comes to an abrupt stop, sometimes with a sudden crash. This rapid jerking can cause stretching, tears, or bruising of the muscles, joints, and supportive tissue in the neck.
Symptoms of whiplashcan include:
You might develop painful symptoms of whiplash right away. Some symptoms, such as stiffness or spasms, can develop gradually.The effects of whiplash can feel worse at times—such as when you are tired or after being in the same position for a long time.
Why Does Your Neck Hurt? 5 Neck Pain Causes
Other Common Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
Whiplash isn’t the only neck injury that can happen due to a car accident. Sometimes, bone fractures of the upper spine, blood vessel injuries, or other injuries can happen, too.
Neck injuries after a car accident may include
These are serious injuries that can cause severe disability or can be life-threatening. These injuries can cause pain. Other signs may include weakness or sensory changes on one side of the body.
Timing of Neck Pain After a Car AccidentTiming can vary:Neck pain can start within a few hours after a car accident. Other symptoms, such as spasms or muscle stiffness, can sometimes begin days or weeks after a car accident.Generally, mild pain should resolve within a few weeks. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, ice packs, or heat packs should help with comfort.Persistent pain may require prescription therapies, injections, and physical therapy after a serious injury has been ruled out.
Timing of Neck Pain After a Car Accident
Timing can vary:Neck pain can start within a few hours after a car accident. Other symptoms, such as spasms or muscle stiffness, can sometimes begin days or weeks after a car accident.Generally, mild pain should resolve within a few weeks. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, ice packs, or heat packs should help with comfort.Persistent pain may require prescription therapies, injections, and physical therapy after a serious injury has been ruled out.
Timing can vary:
What Is Whiplash?
Getting Neck Pain Evaluated After an Accident
It’s crucial to get prompt medical attention if you have neck pain after a car accident. Your evaluation will include a physical examination, including a neurological examination. Additionally, you may need other diagnostic tests to help identify the areas of injury and to determine the next steps in your care.
It can be difficult to know what type of care to get and what to do.
Get prompt medical attention for:
Make an appointment to see a healthcare provider for:
When in doubt, call a healthcare provider for advice about how soon you should be seen. Delaying care can lead to a worse outcome.
Diagnostic Tests for Neck Pain After a Car AccidentYou might need one or more of these tests:Neck X-rayUpper spine X-rayCervical spine computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Electromyography(EMG) ornerve conduction study(NCV)Brain CT or MRI
Diagnostic Tests for Neck Pain After a Car Accident
You might need one or more of these tests:Neck X-rayUpper spine X-rayCervical spine computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)Electromyography(EMG) ornerve conduction study(NCV)Brain CT or MRI
You might need one or more of these tests:
Treatment Options for Neck Pain After a Car Accident
Neck pain after a car accident can be managed in various effective ways. Physical therapy, medication, and interventional treatments can be beneficial and must be tailored to your specific situation.
Medications may include:
Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, acupressure, and meditation can help relieve muscle tightness and promote relaxation.
Depending on your condition, you might benefit from surgical intervention to repair damage such as a fracture or blood vessel injury.
Causes of Neck Pain and Treatment Options
Generally, ice packs can help reduce swelling and inflammation and often provide comfort. For some people, a warm pack can also provide comfort.
Depending on the injury, you might receive instructions to rest for a few days or longer after the accident. After you have healed, you may be advised to stretch and exercise at home to strengthen the muscles of your neck, back, and shoulders and to avoid developing muscle stiffness or spasms.
How to Prevent Neck Injuries in Car Accidents
It’s important to prevent car accidents and consistently use the safety features built into vehicles to reduce the risk of an injury in case you are involved in a car accident.
Things you can do to stay safe:
Summary
Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms after a car accident. Pain can result from muscle strain or bruising, or it can be a sign of severe trauma that requires medical treatment.
If your pain is significant or persistent, or if you have any associated symptoms, it’s crucial to get prompt medical attention. Even mild discomfort can indicate a traumatic injury and requires an evaluation.
Getting therapy—whether medication, a procedure, or physical therapy—can help you recover from neck pain after a car accident.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gane EM, Plinsinga ML, Brakenridge CL, Smits EJ, Aplin T, Johnston V.The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11504. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111504Hallgren RC, Rowan JJ.Assessment of potential strain injury to rectus capitis posterior minor muscles during whiplash type distortions of the cervical spine.J Osteopath Med.2021;121(9):747-753. doi:10.1515/jom-2021-0094Elliott JM, Heinrichs BE, Walton DM, et al.Motor vehicle crash reconstruction: does it relate to the heterogeneity of whiplash recovery?PLoS One.2019;14(12):e0225686. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225686Kacprzynski G, Bucher J.Delayed vertebral artery dissection after mild trauma in a motor vehicle collision.Am J Emerg Med. 2021;45:678.e1-678.e2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.028Barun B, Barišić I, Krnić A, Benzon B, Vlak T, Aljinović J.Neck disability index Is better in classification of recovery after whiplash injury in comparison with ultrasound shear wave elastography of trapezius muscle.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):2077. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11112077Park AL, Hwang EH, Hwang MS, et al.Cost-effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy and usual care, ccompared with usual care only for people with neck pain following traffic accidents: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(19):9994. doi:10.3390/ijerph18199994
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gane EM, Plinsinga ML, Brakenridge CL, Smits EJ, Aplin T, Johnston V.The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11504. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111504Hallgren RC, Rowan JJ.Assessment of potential strain injury to rectus capitis posterior minor muscles during whiplash type distortions of the cervical spine.J Osteopath Med.2021;121(9):747-753. doi:10.1515/jom-2021-0094Elliott JM, Heinrichs BE, Walton DM, et al.Motor vehicle crash reconstruction: does it relate to the heterogeneity of whiplash recovery?PLoS One.2019;14(12):e0225686. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225686Kacprzynski G, Bucher J.Delayed vertebral artery dissection after mild trauma in a motor vehicle collision.Am J Emerg Med. 2021;45:678.e1-678.e2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.028Barun B, Barišić I, Krnić A, Benzon B, Vlak T, Aljinović J.Neck disability index Is better in classification of recovery after whiplash injury in comparison with ultrasound shear wave elastography of trapezius muscle.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):2077. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11112077Park AL, Hwang EH, Hwang MS, et al.Cost-effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy and usual care, ccompared with usual care only for people with neck pain following traffic accidents: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(19):9994. doi:10.3390/ijerph18199994
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gane EM, Plinsinga ML, Brakenridge CL, Smits EJ, Aplin T, Johnston V.The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11504. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111504Hallgren RC, Rowan JJ.Assessment of potential strain injury to rectus capitis posterior minor muscles during whiplash type distortions of the cervical spine.J Osteopath Med.2021;121(9):747-753. doi:10.1515/jom-2021-0094Elliott JM, Heinrichs BE, Walton DM, et al.Motor vehicle crash reconstruction: does it relate to the heterogeneity of whiplash recovery?PLoS One.2019;14(12):e0225686. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225686Kacprzynski G, Bucher J.Delayed vertebral artery dissection after mild trauma in a motor vehicle collision.Am J Emerg Med. 2021;45:678.e1-678.e2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.028Barun B, Barišić I, Krnić A, Benzon B, Vlak T, Aljinović J.Neck disability index Is better in classification of recovery after whiplash injury in comparison with ultrasound shear wave elastography of trapezius muscle.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):2077. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11112077Park AL, Hwang EH, Hwang MS, et al.Cost-effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy and usual care, ccompared with usual care only for people with neck pain following traffic accidents: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(19):9994. doi:10.3390/ijerph18199994
Gane EM, Plinsinga ML, Brakenridge CL, Smits EJ, Aplin T, Johnston V.The impact of musculoskeletal injuries sustained in road traffic crashes on work-related outcomes: a systematic review.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(21):11504. doi:10.3390/ijerph182111504
Hallgren RC, Rowan JJ.Assessment of potential strain injury to rectus capitis posterior minor muscles during whiplash type distortions of the cervical spine.J Osteopath Med.2021;121(9):747-753. doi:10.1515/jom-2021-0094
Elliott JM, Heinrichs BE, Walton DM, et al.Motor vehicle crash reconstruction: does it relate to the heterogeneity of whiplash recovery?PLoS One.2019;14(12):e0225686. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225686
Kacprzynski G, Bucher J.Delayed vertebral artery dissection after mild trauma in a motor vehicle collision.Am J Emerg Med. 2021;45:678.e1-678.e2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2020.11.028
Barun B, Barišić I, Krnić A, Benzon B, Vlak T, Aljinović J.Neck disability index Is better in classification of recovery after whiplash injury in comparison with ultrasound shear wave elastography of trapezius muscle.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):2077. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11112077
Park AL, Hwang EH, Hwang MS, et al.Cost-effectiveness of Chuna manual therapy and usual care, ccompared with usual care only for people with neck pain following traffic accidents: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2021;18(19):9994. doi:10.3390/ijerph18199994
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