Whiplash is a common injury sustained in crashes. It happens when the head jerks suddenly forward then backward or side to side. This causes overextension of the neck and strains the muscles and ligaments of the neck. In some cases, the muscles and ligaments can tear. Show Auto accident specialist Robert Mitchell, MD, leads the team of medical professionals at Tulsa Accident Care Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We will work closely with you to diagnose your injury and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. When you have whiplash, it’s crucial to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis. The recovery journey varies from person to person and depends on a number of factors, including how severe the whiplash injury is. Whiplash symptomsNeck pain is the most common symptom of whiplash, and it can range from minor to agonizing. You may experience neck stiffness or restricted range of motion. If you've been in a car accident and suspect you've suffered whiplash, here are some symptoms to watch for:
Any of these symptoms could suggest a whiplash injury and should be evaluated by a medical practitioner as soon as possible. Self-care steps to take at homeScheduling a visit with an auto accident specialist should be the top priority. In the meantime, there are some self-care steps you can take at home. It’s sensible to take it easy the first few days. If a certain motion or activity aggravates your neck pain, avoid or limit it until your neck has had more time to heal. Applying ice to the neck in the first few days after a whiplash injury can help minimize discomfort and swelling. Ice or cold packs can temporarily shut tiny blood vessels and prevent swelling from worsening. After that, ice or heat can be given alternately for a few days after the accident. Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may also help minimize swelling and ease pain. Recovering from whiplashMost people who sustain a whiplash injury usually recover within three months. In some cases, whiplash symptoms can linger. If you have a considerable amount of pain, it may be a sign that a more serious injury has occurred. Clinical testing can help aid in determining the severity of an injury, which is usually the main factor in determining how long recovery will take. Once you’ve been evaluated and have a formal diagnosis, you can get on the path to recovery. And no matter the case, our team will provide guidance and support every step of the way. Help for whiplashAnyone who sustains an injury after a car accident is advised to seek medical attention. Even if the injury seems minor or you don’t have significant pain, it’s important to have a health care provider evaluate you. This is because in the aftermath of an auto accident, adrenaline can mask injuries. Additionally, some injuries don’t present immediate symptoms. Furthermore, seeking treatment for whiplash right away can reduce the risk for complications later. If you’ve been in an auto accident and want care, the experts at Tulsa Accident Care Center can promptly evaluate you and get you on the path to recovery. To learn more, call 918-372-3694 or book an appointment online today. Despite the new evidence about the mechanics of whiplash and the overriding social and legal implications of whiplash, physicians still are called upon to offer practical self-help advice to their patients on what they can or cannot do. The consensus on whiplash management is currently settling upon a combination of therapeutic approaches, which include patient information, reassurance, and mobilization or activation through neck-specific exercises. This approach has not been scientifically validated, but is a synthesis of the best current evidence. The following hand-out approach was first authored by the Physical Medicine Research Foundation in its work on the BC Whiplash Initiative, under the name Neck Talk,[1] and is based on the works in this edition of the BC Medical Journal as well as previous review publications that developed from the World Congress on Whiplash, Vancouver 1999, which also included works from the Quebec Task Force.[2] Please photocopy and freely distribute the following pages to patients (unlimited noncommercial photocopying permitted). Competing interests During the years about 1996 to 1999 Dr Allen received honoraria, fees for speaking, fees for organizing education, and reimbursement from the Physical Medicine Research Foundation (PMRF) for matters related to the British Columbia Whiplash Initiative. PMRF was funded by a research grant from the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC). Dr Allen is no longer involved with PMRF or ICBC. Practical management of whiplash - Patient handout - PDF format [requires Adobe Acrobat] Practical management of whiplash Frequently Asked Questions What is whiplash? What part is injured? Who is most likely to get whiplash? Can whiplash be prevented? What about X-rays and scans? Neck and shoulder pain seem pretty common—are they? Are there different types of whiplash? How long does it take to recover from whiplash? What treatments are helpful? What about other therapies? What does “take it easy” mean when talking about my whiplash injury? Is it in my head? How do I know if I’m getting better? When should I return to work? What is the purpose of exercise? Neck-specific exercises: The basics
Precautions These exercises can be done almost any time and any place This article has been peer reviewed. References1. BC Whiplash Initiative. Whiplash-Associated Disorders, A Comprehensive Syllabus. Vancouver, BC: Physical Medicine Research Foundation, 1997. www.health-sciences.ubc.ca/whiplash.bc/home.html (January 1998; retrieved 17 April 2002). Murray Allen, MD Dr Allen is a senior fellow in Health Policy with The Fraser Institute in Vancouver. He was an associate professor of kinesiology at Simon Fraser University where he researched and published in the area of injury dynamics, including the dynamics of whiplash, and lectured internationally on this topic. He also ran a private consulting clinical practice on injury management and rehabilitation, and conducted independent examinations for injury assessment. He chaired the Physical Medicine Research Foundation 1998 Banff International Symposium entitled Musculoskeletal Pain Emanating from the Head and Neck, and edited the published proceedings. He co-chaired the BC Whiplash Initiative and was principal content author for its syllabi. Dr Allen was co-chair of the Traffic Safety and Engineering section of the World Congress on Whiplash 1999 in Vancouver, and senior editor for the Congress publication on diagnosis and treatment of whiplash-associated disorders. He currently practises out of Caulfeild in West Vancouver, BC. Murray Allen, MD. Practical management of whiplash: A guide for patients. BCMJ, Vol. 44, No. 6, July, August, 2002, Page(s) 317-321 - Clinical Articles.Above is the information needed to cite this article in your paper or presentation. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommends the following citation style, which is the now nearly universally accepted citation style for scientific papers: About the ICMJE and citation stylesThe ICMJE is small group of editors of general medical journals who first met informally in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1978 to establish guidelines for the format of manuscripts submitted to their journals. The group became known as the Vancouver Group. Its requirements for manuscripts, including formats for bibliographic references developed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), were first published in 1979. The Vancouver Group expanded and evolved into the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE), which meets annually. The ICMJE created the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals to help authors and editors create and distribute accurate, clear, easily accessible reports of biomedical studies. An alternate version of ICMJE style is to additionally list the month an issue number, but since most journals use continuous pagination, the shorter form provides sufficient information to locate the reference. The NLM now lists all authors. BCMJ standard citation style is a slight modification of the ICMJE/NLM style, as follows:
For more information on the ICMJE Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals, visit www.icmje.org Should I go to work if I have whiplash?Most victims of whiplash can continue to go about their normal activities as long as they're mindful and don't overextend themselves. The aches and pains may continue for weeks or months following your accident, but you can still go about most of your normal activities during that time.
When should you go back to work after whiplash?Generally, most people return to work within a month of a car accident, even after experiencing whiplash [1]. But serious injuries may take longer. Discuss this with your doctor.
Should I stay home if I have whiplash?Instead of going to work following an accident, head home. Even if you don't feel bad now, you might later; this is often the case with whiplash, the symptoms of which may not arise for 24 hours. It's better to start the recovery process sooner rather than later.
How long should you rest whiplash?Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head. It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months.
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