Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDid I Suffer a Whiplash Injury?Temporary ReliefRehabilitationPain DurationLong-Term Side EffectsManaging Chronic Pain
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Did I Suffer a Whiplash Injury?
Temporary Relief
Rehabilitation
Pain Duration
Long-Term Side Effects
Managing Chronic Pain
Experiencing a whiplash injury can be disorienting and painful, especially if you’ve recently been in a car accident. Beyond initial neck pain and stiffness, it’s crucial to recognize potential delayed symptoms such as nerve damage.
andreswd / Getty Images
Whiplash injuries typically result from sudden, forceful movements of the head, commonly occurring in rear-end car collisions. Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries.
Other potential causes for a whiplash injury include:
Symptoms may include:
Pain Sensations and Location
The symptoms of a whiplash neck sprain can vary in severity but commonly include:
You may not feel any symptoms of whiplash directly following an accident. It can sometimes take several hours or even weeks to develop.
When to See a Provider
Seek immediate medical attention from your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room for any of the following symptoms:
Temporary Whiplash Pain Relief
Treating whiplash often involves a combination of medications aimed at reducing pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. Here are common medications used:
Other treatments your provider may recommend include:
It’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations regarding medication use, including dosage and duration, to manage whiplash symptoms while minimizing potential side effects effectively.
After Whiplash Injury: Steps to Rehabilitation
A healthcare provider may takeX-raysto ensure no serious damage to the neck or spine. Your healthcare provider will also assess how much the pain affects your daily life, including your mood and ability to do regular activities, to determine the appropriate care plan.
Early exercise can help maintain neck flexibility. Your provider may recommend that you slowly increase your neck movements several times per day and continue with normal daily activities. Not moving your neck may actually prolong pain, stiffness, and healing. Make sure to rest and ice the injured area. If symptoms continue for more than one or two weeks, physical therapy may be required.
How Soon Until Whiplash Pain Subsides?
The prognosis depends on the severity of the injury. Many people recover quickly; however, in extreme cases, pain and other symptoms can last 12 months or more.
See your provider if:
Long-Term Whiplash Injury Side Effects
A whiplash injury can cause nerve damage in some patients.People with whiplash usually recover in a few weeks to months, but some people may have longer-lasting pain. Discuss any new or worsening whiplash injury symptoms with your healthcare provider for guidance.
How to Manage Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Treatments for chronic neck and back pain include:
Summary
Navigating the aftermath of a whiplash injury can be challenging, but understanding the rehabilitation process can significantly aid in recovery. Immediate attention to symptoms, such as neck stiffness, pain, and potential nerve damage, is crucial, especially following a car accident. Treatment involves a combination of medications, early exercise, and possibly physical therapy to manage pain and restore mobility.
While many recover quickly, some may experience prolonged symptoms requiring ongoing management. Recognizing the signs of more serious complications, seeking timely medical advice, and adhering to a structured rehabilitation plan are key to overcoming the effects of whiplash and regaining quality of life. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the most effective treatment strategies for you.
11 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical whiplash.Rush University Medical Center.5 facts about whiplash.Medline Plus.Whiplash.NHS.Whiplash.University of Rochester Medical Center.Whiplash injury.Medline Plus.Pregabalin.Fundaun J, Kolski M, Baskozos G, Dilley A, Sterling M, Schmid AB.Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pain. 2022;163(7):e789-e811. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Ferreira GE, Abdel-Shaheed C, Underwood M, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of antidepressants for pain in adults: overview of systematic reviews.BMJ. 2023;380:e072415. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072415Harvard Health Publishing.New recommendations aim to improve safety of pain-relieving spinal steroid injections.
11 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.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical whiplash.Rush University Medical Center.5 facts about whiplash.Medline Plus.Whiplash.NHS.Whiplash.University of Rochester Medical Center.Whiplash injury.Medline Plus.Pregabalin.Fundaun J, Kolski M, Baskozos G, Dilley A, Sterling M, Schmid AB.Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pain. 2022;163(7):e789-e811. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Ferreira GE, Abdel-Shaheed C, Underwood M, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of antidepressants for pain in adults: overview of systematic reviews.BMJ. 2023;380:e072415. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072415Harvard Health Publishing.New recommendations aim to improve safety of pain-relieving spinal steroid injections.
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.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical whiplash.Rush University Medical Center.5 facts about whiplash.Medline Plus.Whiplash.NHS.Whiplash.University of Rochester Medical Center.Whiplash injury.Medline Plus.Pregabalin.Fundaun J, Kolski M, Baskozos G, Dilley A, Sterling M, Schmid AB.Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pain. 2022;163(7):e789-e811. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Ferreira GE, Abdel-Shaheed C, Underwood M, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of antidepressants for pain in adults: overview of systematic reviews.BMJ. 2023;380:e072415. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072415Harvard Health Publishing.New recommendations aim to improve safety of pain-relieving spinal steroid injections.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Whiplash injury.
American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.Cervical whiplash.
Rush University Medical Center.5 facts about whiplash.
Medline Plus.Whiplash.
NHS.Whiplash.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Whiplash injury.
Medline Plus.Pregabalin.
Fundaun J, Kolski M, Baskozos G, Dilley A, Sterling M, Schmid AB.Nerve pathology and neuropathic pain after whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pain. 2022;163(7):e789-e811. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002509
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Back pain: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Ferreira GE, Abdel-Shaheed C, Underwood M, et al.Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of antidepressants for pain in adults: overview of systematic reviews.BMJ. 2023;380:e072415. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072415
Harvard Health Publishing.New recommendations aim to improve safety of pain-relieving spinal steroid injections.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
