Additional Information

Home Treatments:

At home care is intended to relieve the initial symptoms, and if the symptoms continue, professional medical treatment is advised. Home treatment involves minimizing rotation, flexion and hyper-extension of the neck. Ice should be applied to the tender and painful area on the neck for 20 minutes at a time 4-8 times for the first 24 hours. A non steroidal anti inflammatory medication should be taken to help reduce the pain and inflammation.

Professional Medical Treatments:

If rest and the use of a non steroidal anti inflammatory drug does not alleviate the pain and inflammation, a neck immobilizer and muscle relaxants may be used to treat symptoms. Physical therapy may be advised, or the re-introduction of range of motion exercises for the neck and low impact regular exercise.

Physical Therapy and Exercises:

Recovery of neck range of motion will require moving the neck slowly through its entire range of motion. This includes, rotating the head from side to side, tilting the head from side to side and tilting front to back. The posture should be held for 5-10 seconds yeah. Later, the same exercises may be performed with the addition of using one hand placed on the head as a form of resistance.

Exercise Techniques to Prevent Injury:

Because whiplash occurs from an abrupt force it is difficult to adequately prevent it. The aforementioned range of motion exercises will help maintain neck muscle strength. Additionally, upright rows and shoulder shrugs with weighted barbells will keep the trapezius and neck muscles exceptionally strong.