Whiplash is a strain or sprain in the neck which can cause severe pain. While whiplash is most often associated with car wrecks, whiplash is an injury that can occur at anytime to anyone in any physical condition. If the body is hit or thrown in a way that causes the head to snap back and forth with the chin hitting the chest, this is a prime cause of whiplash. Those who suffer this type of trauma can experience pain for some time. And while many believe the pain of whiplash is exaggerated, research has proven that it is a very serious injury which can be hard to diagnose.

Whiplash causes severe pain because the muscles and ligaments in the neck have been stretched beyond their normal range of movement. These muscles and ligaments in severe cases of whiplashes can tear and bleed or even cause problems with a person’s spine. Whiplash that occurs most commonly when there is stretching of the ligaments and muscles due to a violent snap of the neck. What results is severe pain and stiffness.

However, this type of injury does not simply produce neck pain. Whiplash can further cause an individual to be hoarse and experience throat soreness. It may also cause muscle spasms. Extreme cases can also cause the spine to be thrown out of alignment and may cause blurred vision and ringing in the ears due to the violent force on the head and neck.

Pain from whiplash may also not only be concentrated to the neck. Because of the strain and force of the trauma, an injured person may feel pain in their neck, base of their skull, shoulders, and chest. Whiplash can also cause other problems besides the pain associated with it. Those who suffer from whiplash may suffer from sleep problems, concentration problems, fatigue, and weakness. The suffering of these symptoms can be mild or severe, but relate directly to the problems associated with whiplash. This can hinder the recovery time of a person dealing with whiplash.

While whiplash will often heal itself within a few days, other more severe cases may require more attention from a physician. Discussing whiplash with your doctor and choosing the right course of action for you is imperative to ensure that your time suffering from whiplash will be minimized.

Whiplash Treatment