First, understand How Whiplash Occurs

Whiplash is most commonly associated with automobile accidents. While this is the most common cause, this can also happen in contact sports, falling down the stairs and other traumatic injuries where the neck is involved.

To get whiplash, the neck must be violently thrust forward. This overstretches the ligaments and muscles in the neck beyond what is normal. Think of a whip cracking. It is fast and quickly retracts. This is what whiplash does, hence having “whip” in the name.

What are the Treatments Used for Whiplash?

There is not a single go-to treatment for whiplash. The key is to relieve symptoms and allow the injury to heal. A variety of treatments can help to accomplish this. It is important to start treatment immediately and not wait until the pain and other symptoms come on. Getting ahead of the symptoms can help to lessen them in both severity and how long they plague you.

Medications are very commonly used to alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with this injury. There are over-the-counter options that may be helpful for some. These generally include analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These are available without a prescription, so it is very important to carefully and thoroughly read the labeling and warnings. These medications can still cause side effects and other problems.

If non-prescription medications fail to offer relief, doctors can prescribe prescription pain medications. These include medications like prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, narcotic pain relievers and muscle relaxers. These medications can be very effective, but they can also cause a variety of side effects. If something like these are prescribed, it is critical to take them exactly as prescribed and to know the side effects that you should be reporting to your doctor right away.

One of the most common treatments used to be to immobilize the neck for a short period of time using a cervical collar. However, healthcare professionals are now forgoing immobilization for gentle movement. This is believed to lead to a faster healing time. With this new method, the patient would ice the neck for the first 24 hours immediately following the injury and then he or she would gently exercise and stretch would stretch the neck during the healing process.

One of the most effective ways to gently exercise the neck is >> Neck traction. This is one of the most common things that physical therapists are recommending. This injury greatly stresses the neck and neck traction can be used to help relieve this stress. It is also incredibly effective for gentle, yet thorough stretching of the muscles and other soft tissues. While many physical therapists recommend it, neck traction can also be done at home.

Whiplash Treatment Don't Let Pain Get Worse

Whiplash is another term to used to describe a neck strain or a sprain. This injury involves damage to the spinal discs in the neck, cervical muscles, ligaments and nerve roots.

If you don't treat whiplash immediately neck pain can become chronic!

There are small, portable devices that resemble a neck collar. These are soft and comfortable and are used by simply putting it on and using a hand pump to increase or release the traction. You can perform traction just about anywhere, even at work, or at home watching television, reading a good book or just sitting back and relaxing.

Other therapies that can be combined with the above-listed treatments include heat, ultrasound and manual therapies. Heat is often effective for tight and painful muscles. The key to heat is proper use, however. Heat should not be used longer than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Applying heat for too long can lead to burns.

Ultrasound has to be done at a healthcare professionals office, making it a bit more inconvenient compared to neck traction. It can be effective, but you will have to do it at a doctor's convenience instead of your own, or when pain is at its worst.

Manual therapies include some chiropractic techniques. This includes techniques like massage and myofascial release. These can be effective, but again, you will have to have these done at a specialist's office. You will have to schedule an appointment, drive there and wait to be called back.