What is whiplash?

What whiplash is

Whiplash is a neck injury due to a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip, according to Mayo Clinic. The head is thrown quickly backward and then forward, which can damage the muscles and tissues of the neck. Rear-end car crashes are the most common cause. The NHS adds slips, falls and sports injuries, and Mayo Clinic adds contact sports such as football tackles.

Mayo Clinic notes that whiplash may be called a neck sprain or strain, but those terms also cover other kinds of neck injury. Whiplash is one of the possible reasons for neck pain, and the page on what causes neck pain? places it alongside strain, wear and pinched nerves.

Symptoms

The NHS lists neck pain, neck stiffness with difficulty moving the head, headaches, and pain and muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms. Mayo Clinic gives a longer list that includes loss of range of motion in the neck, tenderness in the shoulder or upper back, tingling or numbness in the arms, tiredness and dizziness. Some people also have blurred vision, ringing in the ears, trouble sleeping, trouble focusing or memory problems.

Symptoms may not appear straight away. The NHS says it can take several hours for them to start, and Mayo Clinic says they most often start within days of the injury. Mayo Clinic describes whiplash headaches as most often starting at the base of the skull. Whether a headache like this comes from the neck itself is discussed on can a problem in the neck cause headaches?

How it is checked

A clinician asks about the event and the symptoms, then examines the neck, shoulders and arms. They check range of motion, which movements hurt, tenderness, and reflexes, strength and feeling in the limbs. Mayo Clinic says a whiplash injury does not show on imaging tests, but X-rays, CT scans or MRI can rule out other problems, such as broken bones or damage to discs or the spinal cord, that could be making symptoms worse.

Recovery and what the sources say about treatment

The NHS says whiplash usually gets better within 2 to 3 months. Mayo Clinic says most people feel better within a few weeks, while some have pain for months or years, and that recovery is hard to predict. It says people may be more likely to have ongoing pain if their first symptoms were intense and came on quickly, with severe neck pain, more limited movement or pain spreading to the arms. Earlier whiplash, older age, existing neck or low back pain and a high-speed injury are linked to worse outcomes.

On self-care, the NHS says painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help, and that trying to continue everyday activities may hurt a little but speeds recovery. It advises against resting the neck for long periods and says a neck brace or collar does not help. Mayo Clinic is less absolute: it says rest may help for a day or two but too much bed rest may slow healing, and that soft collars were once common but long periods of keeping the neck still can reduce muscle strength. It adds that experts do not agree on how to use a collar, with suggestions ranging from no more than 72 hours to up to three hours a day for a few weeks. Ask your own clinician how this applies to you.

If symptoms are not improving, the NHS says a GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller and may refer people to a physiotherapist, a pain specialist or for psychological support. Mayo Clinic says research on non-traditional therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage is limited. Neck pain that lasts is also covered in the neck and headaches section.

When to get help

Mayo Clinic advises seeing a healthcare professional promptly after a car accident, sports injury or other injury, so that broken bones or other damage can be ruled out. The NHS says to see a GP if symptoms have not improved after 1 week, if painkillers have not worked, or if you are worried. It says to ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 after a neck injury if you have severe pain despite painkillers, tingling or pins and needles on one or both sides of the body, problems walking or sitting upright, a sudden "electric shock" feeling in the neck and back, or weak hands, arms or legs. The page on when neck pain is serious covers warning signs more broadly. Practice varies by country and by clinician.