An injury that often happens when sudden force or movements strain the neck and spine, causing damage to the bone, muscle, ligaments, and nerves. It is called Whiplash or neck strain and usually occurs in people exposed to car or motorcycle accidents. However, it may also occur due to other factors. In general, this is a treatable condition, and it is short-lived. Rarely, some people may develop chronic (long-term) symptoms (such as pain) for months or even years.
While the name of the condition refers to a single concept, it may also cause other effects. Some healthcare providers refer to health conditions that occur due to whiplash as whiplash-associated disorders. Moreover, neck strain may sometimes happen with sudden movement changes in any direction.
Commonly, neck strain is treated as an emergency condition because it often happens suddenly. In addition, doctors often recommend extreme caution until they confirm the diagnosis.
How Common is Whiplash?
Neck strain is considered a common condition because it negatively affects millions of people in the entire world every year.
How Does Neck Strain Affect My Body?
This condition happens due to one physical law (the law of inertia) that affects the human body. For instance, when you are in a moving car and the driver suddenly steps on the brakes, your body will continue to move forward. It also works when a driver suddenly accelerates. Therefore, you will feel like you are pressed into the seat.
Furthermore, like you are a passenger in a car, the brain is a passenger in the skull. Thus, each sharp or sudden movement causes the brain to smack against the skull, which may cause damage to the brain. However, the neck works like a shock absorber for the head. It extends, compresses, or twists to reduce the effects of sudden movements.
Neck strain happens when environmental factors cause movements out of the neck’s range of motion, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, and bones. The stronger is movement, the greater the force is put on the neck. As a result, the damage caused by whiplash ranges from mild to severe. Moreover, some people may experience severe damage even due to weak levels of force. Healthcare providers do not fully understand why it happens.
In severe cases, neck strain can break the vertebrae in the neck, which significantly increases the risk of damage to the spinal cord and nearby nerves.
Symptoms
The symptoms usually appear differently among people with whiplash because it depends on the severity of the damage, your age, sex, and other factors. Moreover, some people notice symptoms within a short time after the neck strain, but others may begin to notice symptoms after 12 hours or more.
Healthcare providers have made a grading system for the severity of the neck strain. It is known as the Quebec Classification of Whiplash-associated Disorders. For example:
- 0 – No injury
- 1 – Mild to moderate pain
- 2 – Pain with signs of injury
- 3 – Sometimes, people who experience the third grade of whiplash may notice neurological symptoms and moderate to severe pain
- 4 – In such cases, people suffer from severe pain and serious neurological symptoms.
Grade 0 and 1
People who experience grade 0 usually do not have any symptoms or signs of injury. If you experience the first grade, you may feel stiffness or tenderness along with mild pain.
Grade 2
This is the first grade in which people experience pain and other symptoms different from grade 1. Check below some examples:
- Muscle spasms
- Pain that spreads to the entire head, face, shoulder, or back
- Bruising
- Increased sensitivity when touching the injury
- Swelling
Grade 3
In such cases, people may experience neurological symptoms along with inflammation or swelling. It often happens because damage disrupts nerve signals between the brain and the affected area. Check below some symptoms of grade 3 whiplash:
- Muscle weakness
- Headaches
- Vision changes
- Dizziness
- Vertigo (also called cervical vertigo)
- A tingling or burning feeling in the upper back, shoulders, and neck
- Numbness
- Hoarseness
- Loss of voice (dysphonia)
- Problems with swallowing (also known as dysphagia)
Grade 4
If you develop this grade of the condition (the highest one), you may experience severe physical and neurological symptoms. It often indicates a neck vertebra fracture that puts extra pressure on the nerves close to the neck and spinal cord.
Causes
The primary cause of this condition is sudden changes in the speed or direction of the body. There are multiple events or activities that may lead to whiplash. For example:
- Car accidents (one of the most common causes of neck strain)
- Contact sports (including hockey, rugby, football, and others)
- Roller coasters
Sometimes, even a simple fall can cause neck strain.
How to Prevent Whiplash?
However, there is no sure way to prevent whiplash at all, but the following tips may help reduce the risk. Check below some examples:
- Adjust the vehicle seat – It is recommended to put the seat in the correct position and use headrests to reduce the risk of developing neck strain.
- Wear the seatbelt – The risk of developing whiplash significantly increases if you do not wear the seatbelt properly.
- Drive safely – If you are cautious while driving, it helps prevent or avoid situations that may cause accidents or a car crash.
- Wear protective equipment if playing contact sports
- Discuss with your healthcare professional if you plan to ride roller coasters
Diagnosis
This condition is usually diagnosed by excluding other health conditions that cause similar symptoms. To rule out those diseases, physicians usually perform some tests. These include:
- X-rays
- CT (computerized tomography) scans
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
Treatment
While it is not possible to cure this condition, treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms and improving healing as much as possible. Sometimes, treatment is needed for people who develop chronic symptoms due to whiplash. Check below some treatments often recommended by doctors for people with neck strain:
Immobilization
This condition may negatively affect the brain and spinal cord. That’s why doctors recommend protective care immediately after the injury occurs. One of them is a cervical collar (C-collar). It has a rigid frame that helps hold the head and neck in place. As a result, it reduces the pressure on the spinal cord. However, there are also other forms of immobilization. For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
Medicines
Physicians usually recommend the following medicines to relieve the symptoms caused by whiplash. For example:
- Pain relievers – In mild cases, doctors often recommend over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers such as Acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen sodium. In more severe cases, physicians usually prescribe opioids to reduce pain.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs – Physicians may recommend corticosteroids to lessen inflammation caused by inflamed tissue.
- Muscle relaxers – Damage to the muscle may cause severe pain and poor healing. That’s why doctors may recommend some muscle relaxers.
- Nerve blocks – If you experience severe or chronic pain, your doctor may recommend some medicines that block nerve signals. It helps reduce pain and improve healing.
Physical Therapy
Some people need physical therapy when recovering from neck strain. This treatment helps learn exercises to strengthen injured areas. It also helps recover the function of the affected area and reduce symptoms (such as pain).
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Therapy
This treatment is often used to relieve pain. It works by delivering small electrical impulses through the skin to the surface of the nerve endings. Thereafter, nerves use these electrical signals to communicate.
Radiofrequency (RF) Nerve Ablation
This treatment option is often recommended for people who develop chronic pain. It involves stopping the nerves through which they send pain signals to the brain. It is an effective treatment, especially if you experience damage to the nerves. However, this treatment works by sending energy to heat specific nerves and damage them. As a result, they no longer send pain signals.
Spine Surgery
People who have torn ligaments or fractured vertebrae usually need surgery. It helps stabilize the damaged areas and prevent further damage to the nerves and spinal cord.
Home Remedies
In mild cases, people can take care of themselves by using nonprescription anti-inflammatory or pain medicines. They can also apply cold and then heat to ease pain. However, you should see a doctor if the pain is moderate or severe because it may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Furthermore, you should not try to take care of neck strain if you develop severe symptoms such as passing out or loss of consciousness, because it may lead to unpleasant results. Immediately see a doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms. For example, swallowing problems, weakness, numbness, or tingling, severe headaches, vertigo, dizziness, or passing out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does whiplash last?
While most people recover completely after a neck strain, it lasts differs among people because it depends on several factors. For example, the severity of the condition, your age, existing health problems, and your preferences. However, some people with whiplash may develop chronic inflammation or pain, which often lasts from months to years.
When should I go to the emergency room?
Immediately go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 in the U.S. if you develop severe physical or neurological symptoms after neck strain. For example, muscle weakness or numbness, fainting, severe headaches, vision changes, or loss of consciousness.
How do you rule out whiplash?
Healthcare professionals usually exclude this condition by performing some imaging tests. These include X-rays, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, or CT (computed tomography) scans. Furthermore, this condition is often diagnosed by ruling out other diseases that cause similar symptoms. Ask your healthcare provider if you have additional questions.
