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