Whiplash: Neck Injury 101

Car crashes often result to various bodily injuries such as whiplash neck injury. Also known as neck sprain or neck strain, whiplash is an injury of the soft tissues of the neck caused by its sudden extension and flexion. This kind of injury is common in rear end accidents where the neck is rapidly jolted back and forth. It may also manifest in trip or slip and fall cases.
The sudden movement of the neck can cause some of its muscles and ligaments to stretch more than the usual. Severe whiplash injury can damage the spine or spinal cord. It can also injure the cervical muscles, intervertebral joints, ligaments, discs and nerve roots.

Signs of Whiplash

Whiplash neck injuries are very common. Even slight car bumps could result to enough whipping to the neck that may trigger the symptoms.
Symptoms of neck injuries may manifest either immediately after the accident or several days after. Its symptoms may include the following:

• Neck Stiffness and Pain
• Myofascial injuries or injuries to the muscles and ligaments
• Headache, dizziness and blurred vision
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing and hoarseness of voice
• Paresthesias or abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling
• Shoulder and back pains
• Irritability

Treatment for Whiplash Injuries

Luckily, whiplash is curable. Upon treatment, most symptoms are gone completely.
At first, it is treated with a soft cervical collar. This collar could be worn for 2 to 3 weeks.
For major cases, therapy and medications are advised. It may include:

• Warm therapy to reduce muscle tension and pain
• Medications for pain such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Muscle relaxants
• Physiotherapy or range of motion exercises and physical therapy on the neck

Severe extension injuries, however, require surgical intervention.

Whiplash Prevention

Head restraints are equally important as seatbelts. They stop the head from making unnecessary movements during the point of impact. They can make the journey uncomfortable but the benefits are enormous. Moreover, correct adjustment of the head restraint could make the journey safer.
Whiplash neck injuries just like any other injuries need medical attention. Expectedly, the victim has to visit a medical provider for examination and tests, if necessary.
To alleviate the pain and suffering of the victim physically and financially, a personal injury case could be filed against the negligent party to compensate him for the damage. The victim may engage the services of a car accident lawyer in pursuing his claim.