How to Treat Whiplash

Treating Your Whiplash at Home

Take it easy so that the injured tissues can rest. For the first 24 hours after your injury, you should remain on bedrest. After that, you can slowly resume activity. However, you should still take it easy by doing less and spreading out activities. Listen to your body and only increase your activity level as the pain subsides. Spread out your necessary activities so that you can rest between them. Avoid lifting heavy items. Don't exercise or do any strenuous activity. Ask family, friends, and coworkers to help you.

Avoid staying in the same position for long periods of time. Keeping your neck still can actually make your whiplash worse and lengthen the time it takes you to recover. While you’re lying down, you may feel more comfortable. However, the pain and stiffness in your neck will be much worse when you do start to move around again. To avoid this, change positions periodically and incorporate gentle movement into your day. Gently move your neck within your range of motion. For example, nod your head slightly forward as far as you can go without feeling pain, then return to your starting position. You can also try moving your head side to side. When resting, set a timer for every 30 minutes to remind you to shift a bit and change positions. It’s okay to walk around, but avoid exercise and lifting objects until you’ve recovered.

Apply an ice pack to your neck and shoulders for up to 15 minutes at a time. Ice will help relieve swelling and pain. Wrap the ice pack in a towel or shirt. Then apply it to your neck several times a day for 15-minute periods. Do not place ice directly against your skin, as this can cause an ice burn. Continue to apply every few hours for the first 24 hours after the injury.

Begin applying heat to the injury for 15 minutes at a time after 24 hours. Heat can help soothe your injury, lowering pain and helping you feel more flexible. You can apply heat several times a day for short periods of time, lasting up to 15 minutes. This lowers the risk of burning your skin, which can happen if you leave the heat against your skin for too long. The best option is moist heat. You can purchase a microwaveable heat pack that contains rice, or you can make one yourself by adding white rice to a sock and tying off the end. Microwave in 30-second intervals until it is warm, without going over 90 seconds. You could also try a heating pad or water bottle filled with warm water. If the heat source is too hot, place a towel between the heat and your skin.

Take over-the-counter NSAIDs if you have pain. NSAIDs are the best OTC pain reliever for injuries because they also reduce inflammation. NSAIDs like ibuprofen, Aspirin, and Aleve (naproxen) will help with the swelling and pain. These pain relievers are often enough to relieve mild to moderate pain. If your pain is more severe, you may need to talk to your doctor about getting prescription painkillers. Talk to your doctor before taking any OTC medicine. NSAIDs may interact with certain prescriptions and conditions. Follow the dosage directions listed on the bottle unless your doctor advises you to take a different dosage. You should always listen to your doctor.

Use a firm, supportive pillow to stabilize your neck while you sleep. Soft pillows like down are not a good option for those with whiplash because you need your neck to be supported and stabilized. Choose a pillow that is labeled as “firm” or that feels firm to your touch.

Seeking Medical Treatments for Whiplash

Take prescription pain medication if your pain is severe. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication if over-the-counter medications don’t work. These can include muscle relaxants to help relieve the muscle spasms caused by the trauma. You may also be prescribed narcotics. It’s important when using these medications that you follow your doctor’s instructions. Ask someone you trust to help monitor how much you take. If you’re in a lot of pain, it can be hard to manage your dosages, which can cause problems down the line. These prescriptions can be very addictive, so use them only when necessary.

Get an injection of lidocaine to help relieve pain if your case is severe. The numbing agent lidocaine may be injected to relieve pain. This is especially useful when you start to do stretches and exercises to regain function in your neck, shoulders, and arms. For example, you could get an injection before you undergo physical therapy. Ask your doctor if this option will work for you. Not everyone will need lidocaine.

See a physical therapist to regain your strength and range of motion. A physical therapist can help you through stretches and exercises that will help your neck, back, and arms regain some function. They will also teach you how to do them at home. Physical therapy may cause discomfort, but it shouldn't cause pain. Talk to your physical therapist if you experience pain during your exercises. Common physical therapy exercises for whiplash include rotating your neck left to right, tilting your head side to side, moving it up and down, and rolling your shoulders.

Wear a foam neck brace if your doctor prescribes one. Once a standard of whiplash treatment, foam neck braces are now rarely prescribed. For most people, whiplash heals better if your neck is not immobilized. However, your doctor knows your case the best. If they recommend a neck brace, you should wear it. Ask your doctor for how long you should wear the brace, and if it’s okay to sleep without it.

Diagnosing Whiplash

Identify symptoms of whiplash. Pain and tenderness in your neck may be telling you something is wrong after an accident or injury. However, it might not mean whiplash, so look for other symptoms. Usually, symptoms of whiplash show up a day or 2 after you experience a trauma that forces your neck forward and back. If you experienced a trauma that could cause whiplash, watch for the following symptoms: Neck pain that worsens when you move. Stiffness in your neck. Loss of range of neck motion. Headaches, usually starting at the base of your skull. Tenderness or pain in your shoulder, back, or upper arms. Tingling or numbness in your arms. Dizziness and fatigue. Blurred vision. Ringing in your ears. Issues with your memory or concentration. Sleeplessness and irritability.

Visit your doctor or an urgent care center on the day of the accident. If you have any pain in your neck after an accident, you need to get immediate medical care. Whiplash is not your only concern. You could have a fracture or other damage. Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for a day or more, so it’s important that you start treatment soon. If the injury results from an accident, getting timely medical care may be necessary to get insurance coverage for your medical bills. Even if the doctor does not diagnose whiplash, you should go back if your symptoms worsen or you develop new symptoms.

Allow the doctor to conduct a non-invasive physical examination. The doctor needs to touch and move your head, neck, and arms to see if there is pain or discomfort. They will also ask you to do certain basic movements to see if you can and if they’re painful. The doctor needs to determine the following: Your current range of motion. The point at which you experience pain. Places where your neck, shoulders, and back are tender. How your reflexes are performing. How much strength you have in your limbs. If you’re having any sensation issues in your limbs.

Expect the doctor to perform imaging tests to look for damage. The doctor will likely want to perform an X-ray, CT-scan, or MRI to look for other underlying issues that could be causing your whiplash symptoms. While they sound scary, these tests are relatively easy, non-invasive, and painless. You may experience minor discomfort from remaining still during your tests. The X-rays can identify if you have a fracture, dislocation, or arthritis. CT-scans can show if you have bone damage. MRIs can detect bone damage and tissue damage, such as spinal cord issues, disk problems, or ligament issues.

Using Alternative Medicine

Get a chiropractor to adjust your spine after the tissues have healed. Chiropractors adjust your spine to help with your alignment. Spinal adjustments may relieve residual pain that may remain in your neck. They can also help restore normal movement to your neck and back. After whiplash, it’s best to wait until your soft tissues have healed before getting an adjustment. Tell the chiropractor that you’ve suffered whiplash. Ask your primary care physician for a recommendation.

Consider massage therapy for pain relief. Massage therapy is a great way to help relieve some of your pain and help you feel more flexible. You can even do it to yourself! Like seeing a chiropractor, you should wait until your whiplash has started to heal before using massage. At first, you should keep the massage light, as you don’t want to aggravate the injury. As you heal, allow your massage therapist to recommend the amount of pressure used. If you go to a professional massage therapist, tell them that you’ve suffered whiplash and are in recovery. Ask them about their professional experience working with clients who’ve been injured to make sure they’re prepared to work with your injury. Don’t ask friends and family who aren’t professionally trained to massage you, as this could aggravate the injury.

Try acupuncture to help relieve your pain and regain balance. An ancient form of Chinese medicine, acupuncture remains popular because many find it helps relieve their symptoms. When you get acupuncture, a trained professional inserts tiny needles into your skin. It sounds scary, but it only causes mild discomfort, not pain. Acupuncture can be a great way to relieve neck pain after whiplash without painkillers. Additionally, acupuncture is used in whiplash patients to restore balance, which can be impacted by the injury. Before getting acupuncture, ask about the credentials and professional experience of the acupuncturist. Let them know that you’ve suffered whiplash and want acupuncture to help with your recovery.