When the neck is moved abruptly in any one direction it can result in a painful injury. Known as whiplash, it usually occurs following a sudden impact such as a motor vehicle accident, and causes damage to the tendons and ligaments in the neck. Pain and stiffness follow when this happens and are characteristic of this type of injury.
The symptoms produced can vary depending on the severity of the trauma which the neck has sustained. The most common symptoms are a stiff and painful neck that is difficult to move freely, muscle spasms, headaches, and referred pain that is felt in the shoulders, arms, or back. Usually the pain starts to become apparent 6-12 hours after the incident, and it may get progressively worse over the next several days.
There are also other symptoms a patient may experience, although these are fairly uncommon. Some may suffer from lower back pain, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, vertigo, and a numb or tingling feeling in the hands and arms. Even fewer patients may also complain of problems with memory, concentration, and mood swings. If present, these types of symptoms should not last long, if they do, one must consult a physician.
Automobile accidents are by far the most common cause of this condition, but it can also happen due to other traumatic events. If a person slips and falls, hitting his or her head, such as down a flight of stairs, or is injured in a contact sport such as boxing, football, or hockey, or is hit across the head in a violent act like a mugging, it may cause this type of injury.
Most physicians will diagnose the condition based on the patient's description of the his or her symptoms, and by simply performing a physical examination of the neck. The more details concerning the accident and nature of the pain that the patient can provide the doctor with, the better. If indicated, the patient may need to have an MRI, CT scan, or x-ray taken as well.
In many cases, this condition is "self-limiting", which means that it will typically improve over time with minimal treatment. Patients may take analgesics for the pain such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, if it is extreme, the doctor may prescribe a stronger drug like codeine. If the pain continues for more than six months, which is unusual, it may be chronic.
Even though movement is bound to be painful at first, patients are urged to keep the neck mobile as much as they can after the injury. The use of a neck brace is discouraged as this keeps it rigid. Recovery will be faster if the patient practices some gentle stretching exercises that will help restore the neck's normal range of motion. Yoga can be an effective healing tool.
If the pains persists, it can limit the patient's work and leisure activities considerably. Very few patients will be affected by chronic pain, but those that do experience it may be referred for physiotherapy, massage therapy, or both. Taking this approach can usually help restore normal functionality to the neck.
The symptoms produced can vary depending on the severity of the trauma which the neck has sustained. The most common symptoms are a stiff and painful neck that is difficult to move freely, muscle spasms, headaches, and referred pain that is felt in the shoulders, arms, or back. Usually the pain starts to become apparent 6-12 hours after the incident, and it may get progressively worse over the next several days.
There are also other symptoms a patient may experience, although these are fairly uncommon. Some may suffer from lower back pain, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, vertigo, and a numb or tingling feeling in the hands and arms. Even fewer patients may also complain of problems with memory, concentration, and mood swings. If present, these types of symptoms should not last long, if they do, one must consult a physician.
Automobile accidents are by far the most common cause of this condition, but it can also happen due to other traumatic events. If a person slips and falls, hitting his or her head, such as down a flight of stairs, or is injured in a contact sport such as boxing, football, or hockey, or is hit across the head in a violent act like a mugging, it may cause this type of injury.
Most physicians will diagnose the condition based on the patient's description of the his or her symptoms, and by simply performing a physical examination of the neck. The more details concerning the accident and nature of the pain that the patient can provide the doctor with, the better. If indicated, the patient may need to have an MRI, CT scan, or x-ray taken as well.
In many cases, this condition is "self-limiting", which means that it will typically improve over time with minimal treatment. Patients may take analgesics for the pain such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, if it is extreme, the doctor may prescribe a stronger drug like codeine. If the pain continues for more than six months, which is unusual, it may be chronic.
Even though movement is bound to be painful at first, patients are urged to keep the neck mobile as much as they can after the injury. The use of a neck brace is discouraged as this keeps it rigid. Recovery will be faster if the patient practices some gentle stretching exercises that will help restore the neck's normal range of motion. Yoga can be an effective healing tool.
If the pains persists, it can limit the patient's work and leisure activities considerably. Very few patients will be affected by chronic pain, but those that do experience it may be referred for physiotherapy, massage therapy, or both. Taking this approach can usually help restore normal functionality to the neck.
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