| This type of injury is most common in | | | | caused. However, nowadays the common |
| car accidents, where the victim is | | | | approach is for the victim to be |
| exposed to very quick deceleration, | | | | encouraged to attempt movement as early |
| although it can occur in other types of | | | | as possible in the recovery programme, |
| circumstances, for example sporting | | | | and keep the neck free from any collars |
| accidents. Symptoms of a whiplash injury | | | | support braces to allow this. Full |
| can include headaches, stiff necks/back | | | | recovery is likely to happen faster |
| of head, and general pain around the | | | | where the victim tries to resume their |
| neck area. This is caused by a | | | | normal routine, including neck |
| tightening of the muscles around the | | | | exercises, as soon as they can, and |
| injured tissue, as the body reacts to | | | | staying active whilst avoiding any |
| the injury by trying to limit movement | | | | activities (such as sports) which could |
| in the affected area. Generally, these | | | | lead to further aggravation of the |
| symptoms will disappear a month or two | | | | injury. Ice packs should be applied at |
| after diagnosis and treatment, but in | | | | an early stage, combined with regular |
| some cases the symptoms can last much | | | | doses (at specified intervals) of |
| longer, especially if medical attention | | | | painkillers/anti inflammatory such as |
| is not sought straight away. Other | | | | ibuprofen. Massages and physiotherapy |
| symptoms can range from nausea and | | | | session may also be useful, along with |
| dizziness, to difficulty in swallowing | | | | any specific exercises advised by the |
| and numbness/tingling. Lower back pain, | | | | doctor. Treatment can depend on a number |
| ringing sounds in the ears, fatigue and | | | | of case-specific factors, for example |
| even mental problems such as a lack of | | | | the age of the victim, their overall |
| concentration can are all problems | | | | health, and even personal preference; |
| victims can experience through a | | | | some sufferers may prefer not to wear a |
| whiplash injury. | | | | brace as it would restrict their |
| There can often be problems with the | | | | everyday activities. Doctors will take |
| diagnosis of whiplash injuries, due to | | | | this into account before deciding how |
| the fact that soft tissue damage does | | | | best to treat each individual. |
| not show up on normal x-rays and scans, | | | | Severe cases of a whiplash injury may go |
| and so doctors often make their | | | | unnoticed by the medical staff treating |
| diagnosis based on the pain felt by the | | | | the victim at first, however if any of |
| victim and the way in which the whiplash | | | | the afore mentioned symptoms persist, it |
| injury occurred. | | | | is important to go back to the hospital |
| Whiplash injuries are relatively | | | | doctor for further check ups, as it may |
| straightforward to treat, and rarely | | | | mean that there is more serious damage |
| require surgery. Standard procedure used | | | | to the spine, most probably concerned |
| to involve the victim wearing a 'soft | | | | with one or more vertebral discs, and |
| collar' or neck brace, in order to | | | | such injuries will require surgery to |
| minimalise movement, increase stability | | | | fix. |
| and make sure no further damage was | | | | |