Common Symptoms of Whiplash After An Auto Accident

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in auto accidents, even in low speed collisions. Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked back and forth, overstretching the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This causes injury and pain. Understanding the common signs and symptoms of whiplash can help accident victims get proper treatment and recovery care.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a non-medical term used to describe neck pain and related symptoms that result from the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck during an accident. It is medically referred to as a cervical sprain or strain.

Common Symptoms of Whiplash
Some of the most common whiplash symptoms include:

Neck Pain and Stiffness
Pain, soreness and stiffness in the neck is the hallmark symptom of whiplash injuries. It is caused by torn muscle and tendon fibers as well as ligament sprains in the cervical spine area. Neck pain and decreased range of motion are usually noticeable immediately or within hours after an accident.

Headaches
Headaches are very common after whiplash due to the jarring movements of the head during the collision. Headaches after a crash can be located in the head, forehead, temple, behind the eyes or at the base of the skull. Severe, migraine-like headaches may indicate a more serious injury.

Shoulder and Upper Back Pain
The forces of whiplash often radiate up into the shoulders and upper back area. Shoulder pain and pain between the shoulder blades may indicate a whiplash injury even without significant neck pain.

Numbness/Tingling
Pinching or irritation of nerves in the neck can cause numbness, tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation down the arm or into the fingers after whiplash trauma. This indicates possible nerve involvement.

Dizziness
Dizziness or vertigo after a motor vehicle accident is common with whiplash. The vertebrae housing the balance organs may be injured, causing dizziness and disorientation.

Ringing in Ears
Tinnitus, or ringing/buzzing in the ears, may occur with whiplash due to irritation of the nerves traveling through the neck near the inner ear. Hearing loss is also sometimes noticed.

Vision Changes
Some accident victims experience temporary vision changes like blurry vision, difficulty focusing or sensitivity to light. This can indicate an injury to the vertebrae or nerves of the cervical spine.

Fatigue
Increased fatigue and lethargy can accompany whiplash as the body works to heal strained muscles and ligaments. Headaches and pain can also be exhausting.

Poor Concentration/Memory
Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and confusion are sometimes part of post-concussion syndrome that can occur with whiplash injuries. Memory and cognition problems should be monitored.

Low Back Pain
Although whiplash refers to neck injuries, the violent forces often continue down the spine, causing strain and irritation to the muscles and discs of the lower back.

Treatments for Whiplash Injuries

The good news is that most whiplash injuries heal well with proper care, which may include:

• Resting the neck to allow healing.
• Applying ice packs to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.
• Physical therapy exercises to improve neck mobility and function.
• Chiropractic adjustments to re-align the cervical vertebrae.
• Anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxers.
• Cervical collars to immobilize the neck in severe cases.
• Steroid injections to decrease inflammation around pinched nerves.
• Surgery if discs require repair or bone stabilizing.