| A Whiplash Neck Sprain or a Whiplash Neck Strain is | | | | will need to rest it for a day or two but after that you |
| the term used when the ligaments, muscles and/or | | | | should try to gently exercise the neck by moving it in |
| tendons in your neck have been injured. As you are | | | | as near normal way as you can. Try to avoid you |
| probably aware, your neck is made up of 7 bones | | | | neck stiffening up and as the pain starts to subside try |
| which are collectively known as the Cervical | | | | increasing the range of your neck movements. |
| Vertebrae. These neck bones are connected to each | | | | · Painkillers: are often very helpful and may be |
| other by ligaments, muscles & tendons. When the neck | | | | recommended by your doctor. These may include: |
| is moved in an extreme way, as happens in road | | | | *Paracetamol at full strength is often sufficient. For an |
| traffic accidents then these ligaments, muscles and | | | | adult this is two 500 mg tablets, 4 times a day. |
| tendons become over-stretched or can even tear. | | | | *Anti-inflammatory painkillers. These may be used |
| What are the symptoms of a Whiplash Neck Sprain. | | | | alone or at the same time as paracetamol. They |
| If you have suffered a Whiplash Neck Sprain then | | | | include ibuprofen which you can buy at pharmacies or |
| there is usually pain and a tenderness to the neck | | | | get on prescription. Other types may need a |
| area, especially around the muscles, tendons and | | | | prescription. Some people with stomach ulcers, asthma, |
| ligaments that have been injured. The affected area | | | | high blood pressure, kidney or heart failure may not be |
| may also get tighter (so limiting neck movement), this | | | | able to take anti- inflammatory painkillers. |
| occurs in order to protect the injured area. | | | | *A stronger painkiller such as codeine is an option if |
| Some of the more serious symptoms suffered after a | | | | anti-inflammatory tablets do not suit or do not work |
| whiplash neck injury are: | | | | well. Codeine is often taken in addition to paracetamol. |
| · A constant pain that either keeps you awake at | | | | *A muscle relaxant such as diazepam is occasionally |
| night or constantly wakes them up from their slumbers. | | | | prescribed for a few days if your neck muscles |
| · A pain that gets worse if you cough or sneeze. | | | | become very tense and make the pain worse. |
| · A pain or numbness that travels down either of | | | | · Other Treatments may include: |
| your arms. | | | | *Physiotherapy: a number of treatments may be |
| · A weakness in your arms. | | | | undertaken by a physiotherapist if the pain is not |
| · Also look out for changes in your bowels or bladder | | | | settling. These include: manipulation of the neck, traction, |
| performance. | | | | applying heat etc. However, what you will probably find |
| · Also look out for a pain that is similar to when | | | | the most helpful is their advice on what exercises you |
| someone has got a fever. | | | | should do at home. You may find that after going to |
| If you think you are suffering from any of the above | | | | the doctor and being subscribed painkillers advised to |
| neck pain symptoms then you need to consult with a | | | | do gentle neck exercises. That if your symptoms |
| doctor straight away. | | | | persist after a week or so, then you may then be |
| How are Whiplash Neck Sprains diagnosed? | | | | referred to a physiotherapist to help with pain relief and |
| The first thing a doctor would do is look at your | | | | for advice on specific neck exercises. |
| medical history and discuss with you what your | | | | *Good Posture: a good sitting posture at home or at |
| symptoms are. After which you will probably be given | | | | work may help. Don't sit at your desk with your head |
| a physical examination, and X-rays may be taken of | | | | bent forwards and with a stooped back. Sit upright. |
| your neck area. | | | | You may want to consider Yoga, Pilates or the |
| Then depending on the severity of your whiplash neck | | | | Alexander technique to improve your neck posture |
| injuries you may go for further tests including MRI | | | | though their effectiveness at treating neck pain is |
| scans and / or CT scans. | | | | uncertain. |
| How to go about treating a Whiplash Neck Sprain. | | | | *A firm supporting pillow: can help some people. |
| The good news is that in the majority of cases the | | | | After recovering from a Whiplash Neck Sprain. |
| damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments will start to | | | | After you have recovered from a whiplash neck |
| repair themselves. | | | | sprain, it is very important to maintain a proper posture |
| There are treatments that can aid or help speed up | | | | and to further exercise your neck muscles. This will |
| recovery and these include: | | | | help strengthen your neck and so reduce the chance |
| · Exercise: Initially the pain may be so bad that you | | | | of further neck strains in the future. |