When the neck is moved abruptly in any one direction it can result in a painful injury. Known as whiplash, it usually occurs following a sudden impact such as a motor vehicle accident, and causes damage to the tendons and ligaments in the neck. Pain and stiffness follow when this happens and are characteristic of this type of injury.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the nature of the accident and from which direction the neck experienced the force. Patients usually report a painful, stiff neck which makes movement difficult, headaches, muscle spasms, and sometimes pain that is referred into the back, shoulders, or arms. At first the patient may not notice the pain, as it may take 6-12 hours to set in, and it will likely get worse over the days that follow.
Less commonly, one may experience such symptoms as numbness in the arms and hands, lower back pain, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo. Even more rarely, one may have memory, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms if experienced, should not last long, if they do, a physician should be consulted.
Motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause of this painful condition. However it can also happen as a result of other similar traumas to the head and neck, including a contact sports injury, a slip and fall incident such as tumbling down a staircase, or an intentional act of violence involving a blow to the head, such as a mugging.
A physician can normally diagnose this injury by the description of the symptoms given by the patient alone. It's important that the healthcare provider be informed of all symptoms experienced and an accurate account of the accident responsible for the injury. Physical examination of the neck may be all that's needed, but in some cases a patient may be sent for an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to further assess the damage.
More often than not, this condition will be "self-limiting", that is, it will naturally heal itself over time with very little medical intervention. Pain can usually be managed with over the counter drugs like ibuprofen and paracetamol, and if necessary, codeine can be prescribed. If the pain persists longer than six months, it will be treated as a chronic condition.
Mobility of the neck plays a big role in effective recovery from this injury. A neck brace should not be used in this case, since it keeps the neck immobilized, instead patients are encouraged to practice gentle stretching exercises for the neck daily. Movement helps to return the neck's range of motion to normal. Yoga is one approach that can be quite helpful.
If the pains persists, it can limit the patient's work and leisure activities considerably. Very few patients will be affected by chronic pain, but those that do experience it may be referred for physiotherapy, massage therapy, or both. Taking this approach can usually help restore normal functionality to the neck.
The symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the nature of the accident and from which direction the neck experienced the force. Patients usually report a painful, stiff neck which makes movement difficult, headaches, muscle spasms, and sometimes pain that is referred into the back, shoulders, or arms. At first the patient may not notice the pain, as it may take 6-12 hours to set in, and it will likely get worse over the days that follow.
Less commonly, one may experience such symptoms as numbness in the arms and hands, lower back pain, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and vertigo. Even more rarely, one may have memory, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms if experienced, should not last long, if they do, a physician should be consulted.
Motor vehicle accidents are by far the most common cause of this painful condition. However it can also happen as a result of other similar traumas to the head and neck, including a contact sports injury, a slip and fall incident such as tumbling down a staircase, or an intentional act of violence involving a blow to the head, such as a mugging.
A physician can normally diagnose this injury by the description of the symptoms given by the patient alone. It's important that the healthcare provider be informed of all symptoms experienced and an accurate account of the accident responsible for the injury. Physical examination of the neck may be all that's needed, but in some cases a patient may be sent for an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to further assess the damage.
More often than not, this condition will be "self-limiting", that is, it will naturally heal itself over time with very little medical intervention. Pain can usually be managed with over the counter drugs like ibuprofen and paracetamol, and if necessary, codeine can be prescribed. If the pain persists longer than six months, it will be treated as a chronic condition.
Mobility of the neck plays a big role in effective recovery from this injury. A neck brace should not be used in this case, since it keeps the neck immobilized, instead patients are encouraged to practice gentle stretching exercises for the neck daily. Movement helps to return the neck's range of motion to normal. Yoga is one approach that can be quite helpful.
If the pains persists, it can limit the patient's work and leisure activities considerably. Very few patients will be affected by chronic pain, but those that do experience it may be referred for physiotherapy, massage therapy, or both. Taking this approach can usually help restore normal functionality to the neck.
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