The most common cause of whiplash is from an auto accident. Even if you are wearing a seatbelt, whiplash injuries can occur. Because physical damage to the vehicle is not necessarily related to the intensity of whiplash injuries, very low speed accidents can cause whiplash.

Whiplash is the common term used to describe pain in the neck following an injury to the soft tissue there. These injuries specifically affect muscles, tendon, and ligaments. It is caused by force applied to your neck which results in the neck moving beyond its normal range of motion.

However, auto accidents are not the only way whiplash may result. Contact sports, blows to the head caused by falling objects or being punched can cause this injury. Child abuse involving shaking can often result in the child or infant having whiplash (as well as result in more serious brain and spinal cord injuries).

Symptoms

Neck pain
Swelling

Difficulty in moving your neck

Muscle spasms in your neck or back

Headache

If you believe you may have suffered a whiplash injury, it is important that you seek medical attention since more serious injuries may be involved. There are also some recommended treatments for whiplash, including:

Applying ice to your neck four times a day for as long as half an hour
Heat therapy
Pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Neck rest
Neck massage
Using a neck brace

Whiplash injuries typically heal completely in 12 weeks or so. However, other symptoms can continue for much longer, which can affect your quality of life. There is no reliable way to predict your prognosis. If you or a loved one has been in an auto accident that resulted in a whiplash injury in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, please contact Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. to set up an initial consultation.