A Whiplash is an injury caused by a severe jerk to the head, typically in a motor-vehicle accident.
Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually caused by your neck bending forcibly forward and then backward, or vice versa. Most whiplash injuries result from a collision that includes sudden acceleration or deceleration.
How long does whiplash usually last?
Most people who have whiplash feel better within a few weeks and don’t seem to have any lasting effects from the injury. However, some people continue to have pain for several months or years after the injury occurred. It is difficult to predict how each person with whiplash may recover.
How do you treat or fix whiplash?
While most people who have a whiplash injury recover within a few weeks to a few months, some have persistent pain for several months or longer, so it’s always advised to consult with a doctor and/or a chiropractor. (Read also: Should I See a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?)
Your healthcare provider will determine specific treatment for whiplash, they may recommend one or more of the following treatments to lessen pain:
- Rest
- Heat or cold
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Prescription medications
- Muscle relaxants
- Injections
What are the most common symptoms of a whiplash?
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Shoulder pain
- Low back pain
- Dizziness
- Pain in your arm or hand
- Numbness in your arm or hand
- Ringing in your ears
- Blurred vision
- Concentration or memory problems
- Irritability
- Sleeplessness
- Tiredness

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