Whiplash can also be called a neck strain, sprain, or neck strain.
The majority of people will feel pain in the neck.
It can also cause pain in the upper and mid-back and shoulder pain.
Whiplash can be characterized by the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Tenderness
- The neck may lose its range of motion
- Stiffness in the neck
- Pain in the shoulders, upper back, arms, or neck
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Muscle spasms
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus is ringing in the ears.
Cognitive symptoms could include:
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Memory loss
- Memory and concentration problems
- Irritability
- Depression
Whiplash patients don’t always feel the effects immediately. They may become more severe or even disappear within a few days.
A mild traumatic brain injury or concussion can be part of a severe injury case.
Whiplash can cause complications
Most people who have whiplash feel better after a few weeks.
Some people may experience whiplash-associated disorder and long-term pain that lasts for months or even years.
It is impossible to predict how a person will react to whiplash injuries or how they will recover.
The severity and well-being before the injury determine the extent of whiplash.
Chronic pain may be more common if the initial symptoms are severe, began immediately, and include:
- Neck pain severe
- Motion with a limited range
- Radiated pain in the arms and shoulders
These risk factors are linked to a worse outcome.
- An anterior whiplash injury
- Aging
- Low back or neck pain
- High-speed injuries
When should you contact a doctor?
Many whiplash symptoms can be treated at home, even minor ones, with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication or muscle relaxants.
Painkillers shouldn’t be used as a last resort.
Because symptoms can sometimes be delayed, it is important to see a doctor immediately after an accident or other injury.
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- The neck pain or stiffness disappears and then returns
- Neck pain severe
- Chronic neck pain
- Pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders, arms, or legs
- Localized weakness in an arm, leg, or foot
This article was written by an auto accident doctor at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer comprehensive pain management services to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.