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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.
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 resolved.
The pain spreads to your shoulders or arms.
You have pain when you move your head.
You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms.

Location of whiplash pain

Head trauma

Whiplash

Reviewed last on: 5/6/2007
Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Ferri FF. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2005: 896-897.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003.

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:125,606.

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