Everything You Need to Know About Neck Whiplash
What is Neck Whiplash?
Neck whiplash is an injury caused by a sudden, forceful movement of the head, usually forward and then backward, like the cracking of a whip. This can happen in car accidents, falls, or contact sports. The force can strain or damage the muscles, ligaments, joints, and discs in the neck.
An analogy…
Think of your neck like a tree in strong wind. If the wind suddenly pushes the tree forward and then yanks it back, the trunk and branches can stretch or even tear. That’s what happens to the soft tissues in your neck during whiplash.
What are other names that neck whiplash can be referred to?
Whiplash, Whiplash Syndrome, Acceleration / Deceleration Injury, Neck Sprain
What causes neck whiplash?
Whiplash occurs when the neck is forced into a rapid forward and backward motion, which overstretches the soft tissues. This can strain the muscles, ligaments, and facet joints, and may also irritate nerves or affect the discs between the vertebrae. In some cases, there’s inflammation and joint dysfunction in the upper cervical spine.
What are the signs and symptoms of neck whiplash?
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches (often starting at the base of the skull)
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Reduced neck range of motion
- Muscle tightness or spasms
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping (in some cases)
- Pain that may worsen with movement
What tests are used to diagnose neck whiplash?
Palpation: Your practitioner uses their hands to feel the muscles, joints, and tissues in your neck and shoulders. They check for tenderness, tightness, swelling, or joint stiffness. If certain areas are sore or tense, it can help identify which tissues were affected by the whiplash injury.
Range of Motion Tests: These tests check how far and how comfortably you can move your neck. You may be asked to turn your head side to side, look up and down, or tilt your head toward each shoulder. If the movement is restricted or painful, it may show that the muscles, joints, or ligaments are irritated or injured from the whiplash.
How long does neck whiplash take to heal?
Most people with mild to moderate neck whiplash recover well with the right treatment, usually within a few weeks to a few months. More severe cases can take longer to heal and may lead to long-term issues like stiffness or joint wear that can cause ongoing pain and reduced movement.
How does neck whiplash happen?
- Car accidents (especially rear-end collisions)
- Falls or sudden jolts
- Contact sports
- Poor neck strength or posture before the injury
- Previous neck injuries
What treatment can help neck whiplash?
- Manual therapy to restore movement and reduce stiffness
- Massage to relax tight muscles
- Gentle stretching and mobility exercises
- Postural retraining
- Education on pacing and gradual return to activity
- Heat or cold therapy for pain relief
- Strengthening exercises during recovery phase
What happens if neck whiplash doesn’t get better with treatment?
In some cases, even with proper treatment, a small number of people with neck whiplash don’t fully recover. They may need further care, like scans, medication, injections, or a referral to a specialist for additional treatment options.
What exercises or stretches can I do for neck whiplash?
- Chin tucks
- Neck side bends and rotations
- Shoulder blade squeezes
Walking or light activity
What products can help with neck whiplash?
AROM cervical rotation in supine
Lie flat on your back with a small pillow or towel under your head. Turn your head to look towards your shoulder, keeping your head in contact with the towel. Return to the starting position and then relax and repeat.
Neck side bending in supine
Lie flat on your back with a small pillow or towel under your head. Tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear towards your shoulder and keeping the head in contact with the pillow. Take care not to hunch your shoulders up. Relax and repeat.
AROM cervical extension in supine
Lie flat on your back with a small pillow or towel under your head. Extend your neck, looking up towards the wall behind you, keeping your head in contact with the pillow. Relax and repeat.
Scapular retraction
Start in a seated position and place your hands on your hips. Let your shoulders fall forward by rounding the upper back, then squeeze your shoulder blades together, drawing them back and down as your elbows come out and back. Keep your shoulders pressed down and away from the ears at all times.
Median nerve glide
Stand with your affected hand out to the side as though you are holding an imaginary tray. Slowly begin to extend this arm to the side, keeping your wrist extended, until you reach the point of tension. Do not push any further. At this point, lift your wrist up,and tilt your head away from this arm, then extend your wrist again as you bring your head back to the central position. Continue this action in one fluid movement.
Radial nerve glide
Stand with your affected hand by your side. Make a fist and bend your wrist. Maintaining this position, rotate your arm inwards towards your thumb. Start to move your arm out to the side, keeping your wrist and fingers flexed and your arm rotated inwards, until you feel the tension. Do not push any further. At this point, tilt your head away from this side, whilst rotating your arm back outwards. As you lift your head back to the centre position, rotate your arm inwards again. Perform this action in one fluid movement.
Ulnar nerve glide
Stand upright and make a circle between the thumb and index finger of your affected arm. Hold this hand up by your ear and then rotate your fingers away from you towards your little finger. Start to bring your bent elbow out to the side and then bring the palm of your hand towards the side of your face until you reach the point of tension. Do not push any further. At this point, tilt your head away from this side, whilst simultaneously moving your hand away from the side of your head. As you lift and move your head back to the centre, bring your hand back to the side of your face. Perform this exercises in one fluid movement.
