When the ligaments and tendons in your neck are strained because your neck has been violently jolted, the resulting injury is known as whiplash. Whiplash is most commonly caused during auto accidents but can also be an injury caused by roller coasters and contact sports too.
Symptoms of whiplash may not appear until up to 48 hours following an accident, but can include:
- Headache
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Fatigue
- Jaw pain
- Dizziness
- Arm pain or weakness
- Vision problems
- Tinnitus
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Back pain
After a diagnosis of whiplash has been confirmed, you may be required to wear a cervical collar to support your cervical vertebrae while the supporting structures around them recover.
Treatment options for patients suffering from whiplash include:
- Ice or heat therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Corrective exercises
- Stretching
- Spinal manipulation