Whiplash Injury: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, And More

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Whiplash Injury Overview

Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP — Written by Shannon Johnson — Updated on June 22, 2023

Causes
Complications
Symptoms
Seeking medical help
Diagnosis
Whiplash treatment
Summary

Most people recover fully in 3 months after experiencing whiplash. During your recovery, medical treatments can help manage the symptoms.

Whiplash occurs when a person’s head moves backward and then forward suddenly with great force. This injury is most common following a rear-end auto collision. It can also result from physical abuse, sports injuries, or even amusement park rides.

Whiplash happens when the soft tissues (the muscles and ligaments) of your neck extend beyond their typical range of motion. Your symptoms might not appear for a while, so it’s important to pay attention to any physical changes for a few days following any crash or other injury event.

Whiplash is thought of as a relatively mild condition, but it can cause long-term pain and discomfort.

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when the muscles in your neck suffer a strain because of a rapid movement backward and then forward. The sudden motion causes your neck’s tendons and ligaments to stretch and tear.

Some things that can cause whiplash include:

car collisions
physical abuse, such as being struck or shaken
contact sports, such as football, boxing, and some martial arts
horseback riding
cycling collisions or falls
falls in which the head violently jerks backward
blows to the head with a heavy object

Possible complications associated with whiplash

Some people with whiplash experience chronic (long-term) pain or headaches for years after the event that caused the initial injury. Doctors may be able to trace this pain to damaged neck joints, discs, and ligaments. But chronic pain following a whiplash injury typically has no medical explanation.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Symptoms usually appear within 24 hours after the incident that caused the whiplash. Sometimes, symptoms may develop after a few days. They can last for several weeks.

Common symptoms include:

neck pain and stiffness
headaches, specifically at the base of the skull
dizziness
blurred vision
constant tiredness

Less common symptoms associated with chronic whiplash include:

problems with concentration and memory
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
inability to sleep well
irritability
chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, or head

When to contact a doctor

Most mild to moderate cases of whiplash can be treated at home using over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, ice, and other remedies.

You should see a doctor after an auto crash or other injury event, or if you have the following symptoms:

pain or stiffness in the neck that goes away and then comes back
severe neck pain
pain, numbness, or tingling in your shoulders, arms, or legs
any issues with your bladder or bowels
localized weakness in an arm or leg

Seek urgent care
You should follow up with a doctor immediately if:
your symptoms spread to your shoulders or arms
moving your head becomes painful
you have numbness or weakness in your arms

How is whiplash diagnosed?

Your doctor will normally ask you questions about your injury, such as:

how it happened
where you feel pain
whether the pain is dull, shooting, or sharp

They may also do a physical exam to check your range of motion and look for areas of tenderness.

Your doctor might order imaging tests that will allow them to assess any damage or inflammation in the soft tissues, spinal cord, or nerves. They can also detect the presence of a brain injury. These imaging tests may include:

X-ray (to make sure your pain isn’t connected to any other type of injury or degenerative disease, such as arthritis)
CT scan
MRI scan

Rarely, a doctor will order diffuse tensor imaging (DTI) or positron emission tomography (PET scan), which will help find and measure the extent of an injury to the brain or other areas.

Treatment for whiplash

The treatments for whiplash are relatively simple. Doctors will often prescribe an OTC pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin.

Medical treatment

Other treatments include:

prescription pain relievers for more severe injuries
muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasms
applying ice or heat to the injured area

Recovery

Physical therapy plays an important role in recovery. Your doctor may refer you to a specialist. Additionally, recovery may include:

exercises to build strength and flexibility in your neck
practicing good posture
learning relaxation techniques to keep your neck muscles from straining and to help with recovery

You might also be given a foam collar to keep your neck stable. Collars should not be worn for more than 3 hours at a time. They should only be used the first couple of days after your injury. However, the use of collars has fallen out of favor for many doctors. It’s believed that using it more than the minimum time may slow healing.

Read more: No exercises needed to fix your posture.

Alternative aftercare

You may also want to try alternative remedies to treat pain. Some include:

chiropractic care
massage, which may relieve some of the tension in the neck muscles
electrical nerve stimulation, which involves a gentle electric current that may help reduce neck pain
acupuncture, though no studies confirm acupuncture’s ability to ease neck pain

Takeaway

Very few people have any long-term complications from whiplash. Usually, recovery time is anywhere from a few days to several weeks. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most people recover fully within 3 months.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Ritchie C, et al. (2016). Recovery pathways and prognosis after whiplash injury.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27594661/
Treatment for whiplash injury. (2021).https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04959721
Whiplash information page. (2019).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Whiplash-Information-Page

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Medically reviewed by Angela M. Bell, MD, FACP — Written by Shannon Johnson — Updated on June 22, 2023

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