My Neck Hurts - Could It Be Whiplash?

Are you experiencing a lingering pain in your shoulders and upper back? Is there constant pain and stiffness in your neck and does it hurt when you try to move it? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then there is a possibility you are suffering from an injury called whiplash.

 What Is Whiplash?

Whiplash is caused by a sudden impact that causes a person’s head to be jerked forwards or backwards, tearing a small vessel in the neck.  It damages the ligaments, nerves, muscles and discs in the neck, and causes neck inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Whiplash is associated with vehicular accidents like rear-end car collisions, in contact sports such as boxing and karate, and in physical abuse like being shaken violently.

 What Are The Common Signs?

Most whiplash symptoms happen within 24 hours, but for others it might take days or even weeks before they can be felt. Hence it is important to be aware of the symptoms so that you can tell if you might have whiplash.

These are some common symptoms of whiplash:

1.          Lingering pain
   
2.          Muscle spasms
   
3.           Decrease in energy or range in motion
   
4.           Constant headaches
   
5.           Stiff neck or difficulty moving the neck
   
6.           Extreme fatigue
   
7.           Anxiety attacks
   
8.        Disturbances or losses in memory
   

If you are experiencing any of these, make sure to get in touch with a physiotherapy clinic Singapore specialising in neck pain treatment singapore.

Can Whiplash Be Cured?

According to experts, some cases of whiplash go away in less than three months if the injury is not so severe, while others are required to undergo physiotherapy for a year or more. The duration really depends on what caused the injury. Research shows that people who experience whiplash from vehicular accidents are more likely to experience neck pains for a longer period of time. 

There are several ways to how you can treat whiplash:

• Do some simple exercises to regain mobility in your neck.
  
• Take prescription anti-inflammatories or muscle-relaxers to help relieve the pain and swelling.
  
• Attend whiplash treatment physiotherapy. Fortunately there are several institutions in Singapore that offer physical therapy sessions to treat whiplash.