Whiplash - Treatment

First Aid:

Try over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
For at least 2 to 3 weeks, avoid activities that bring on or worsen your pain and stiffness.
Don't lift or carry anything heavy or participate in sports.
Do not sit, especially at a desk, for long periods of time.
If possible, stay active by taking short walks.
If you have pain when you move your head or the pain involves your shoulders or arms, your doctor may recommend a soft neck collar or short-term prescription drug to relax the muscles.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

Call your doctor if:

Neck pain and stiffness comes back after it had cleared up
Neck pain is very severe
The pain spreads to your shoulders or arms
You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs
You have problems with your bladder or bowels

Location of whiplash pain

Head trauma

Whiplash

Reviewed last on: 7/10/2009
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Villafuerte J. Whiplash. In: Ferri FF, ed. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2009:section 1.

Evans RW, Wilberger JE, Bhatia S. Traumatic disorders. In: Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 51.

Verhagen AP, Scholten-Peeters GG, van Wingaarden S, de Bie R, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA. Conservative treatments for whiplash. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Apr 18;(2):CD003338.

Devereaux M. Neck Pain. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:273-284.

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Whiplash - Treatment

First Aid:

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

References