Whiplash
Whiplash
Whiplash – also known as neck sprain or strain – is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck. It happens when the head suddenly whips forward or backward, pulling and/or compressing tissues between and around the cervical vertebrae, including facet joints, intervertebral disks, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots.
Symptoms, including neck pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, burning or prickling sensations, shoulder or back pain, may occur right after the accident, but often emerge one to several days later. Other symptoms such as loss of memory or concentration, nervousness, irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue or depression may also occur.
Treatment includes cold compresses to relieve spasm, pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants or acupressure. Range of motion exercises, physical therapy and cervical traction may also be prescribed. Until recently, extended rest and a cervical collar to restrict neck motion were routinely used, however there is some evidence that most people recover more quickly when they resume normal activity as soon as possible. After the first 48 to 72 hours, the use of heat compresses may reduce stiffness.
Neck and head pain usually clears within a few days or weeks. Most patients recover within 3 months after injury. However, some may continue to have residual neck pain and headaches.
Whiplash is, of course, also a major source of compensation claims and suits, especially after vehicle accidents. If you have been driving or riding in a vehicle that was struck with force from behind, you may want to see a doctor as quickly as possible, even if you don’t feel any symptoms yet, to produce documentation of your injury.
LABELS:
Spinal cord
Nerve root
Cervical vertebrae
Intervertebral disk
Facet joint
Nerve root
Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd
Acupressure for whiplash
Here are lists of acupressure points for Whiplash, Neck pain, Shoulder pain and Upper back pain on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.