NINDS Whiplash Information Page: NINDS
Article title: NINDS Whiplash Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: Whiplash
Conditions: Whiplash
Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)What
is Whiplash?
Is
there any treatment?
What
is the prognosis?
What
research is being done?
Organizations
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash—a soft
tissue injury to the neck—is also called neck sprain or neck strain. It is
characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to
the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion.
The disorder
commonly occurs as the result of an automobile accident and may include
injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles,
and nerve roots.
Symptoms such as neck pain may be present directly after
the injury or may be delayed for several days. In addition to neck pain,
other symptoms may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and
ligaments (myofascial injuries), headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations
such as burning or prickling (paresthesias), or shoulder or back pain. In
addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological
conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment,
nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression.
Is there any
treatment?
Treatment for individuals with whiplash may include pain
medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle
relaxants, and a cervical collar (usually worn for 2 to 3 weeks). Range of
motion exercises, physical therapy, and cervical traction may also be
prescribed. Supplemental heat application may relieve muscle tension.
What is the
prognosis?
Generally, prognosis for individuals with whiplash is
good. The neck and head pain clears within a few days or weeks. Most
patients recover within 3 months after the injury, however, some may
continue to have residual neck pain and headaches.
What research is being
done?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on trauma-related
disorders such as whiplash. Much of this research focuses on increasing
scientific understanding of these disorders and finding ways to prevent
and treat them.
American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)
P.O. Box 850
Rocklin, CA 95677-0850
ACPA@pacbell.net
http://www.theacpa.org/
Tel:
916-632-0922
Fax: 916-632-3208
National Chronic Pain Outreach Association (NCPOA)
P.O. Box
274
Millboro, VA 24460
ncpoa@cfw.com
Tel: 540-862-9437
Fax: 540-862-9485
National Headache Foundation
428 West St. James Place
2nd
Floor
Chicago, IL 60614-2750
info@headaches.org
http://www.headaches.org/
Tel:
773-388-6399 888-NHF-5552 (643-5552)
Fax: 773-525-7357
This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided
by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD
20892
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