What is “Whiplash”?

“Whiplash” is a catch-all phrase for injuries caused by a sudden back-and-forth jerking motion of the head. It is common in car wrecks, but it can also happen in contact sports and heavy metal concerts.

The actual injuries that may occur because of the whiplash motion include strain of muscles in the neck and back, damage to the cervical discs and ligaments, and nerve root damage. The cervical vertebrae can also break or dislocate, but we don’t usually call that “whiplash.” We call that a broken neck.

Symptoms of whiplash may appear instantly, or may wait two or three days before they show up. These symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain or pain between the shoulder blades, low back pain, and pain or numbness in the arm or hand. Because the whiplash motion may also have caused a minor brain injury, you may also experience dizziness, difficulty concentrating, or memory problems. You may also have trouble sleeping, or feel fatigued.

In most cases, whiplash injuries cannot be diagnosed on standard X-rays, because the damage is only to soft tissues. An MRI or CT scans may be required to see the damage.

Whiplash injuries are treatable. It used to be common to put whiplash victims in a neck roll to immobilize the head, but the modern trend seems to be to encourage gentle movement. However, DO NOT TREAT YOURSELF! See a doctor if you suspect you have had a whiplash injury, or any injury to the neck. You risk permanently paralyzing yourself if you make the wrong move with a neck injury.

So, as always, if you have been injured, the first thing to do is see a doctor and get better. After that, if you think that someone else is responsible for your whiplash, call a good personal injury lawyer. If you are in Idaho, we would be honored if you would call us.