Whiplash
Whiplash will often get better on its own or after some simple treatment in a few weeks or months.
Butsometimesit can cause severe and troublesome symptoms that last a long time.
The main treatments for whiplash are outlined below.
It's important not to rest your neck for prolonged periods if you have whiplash.
Your neck may bepainful at first, but keeping itmobile will improve itsmovement and speed up your recovery. Any pain you experience when moving your neck is normal and won't cause further damage.
It's best to try to carry on with your normal activities and not use a neck brace or collar.Try to avoid staying in the same position, such as sitting or lying down,for long periods.
Doing some controlled neck exercises may alsohelp reducestiffness. Read an NHS leaflet on whiplash (PDF, 259kb) for some simple exercises you can try.
The following measures can also help reduce your pain and aid your recovery:
Painkillers can help relieve the pain of a whiplash injury.
Over-the-counter painkillers are usually recommended first, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen . These should be usedregularly rather than only when the pain is most severe.
Always read the leaflet that comes with your medication to check whether it's suitable for you. For example, ibuprofen shouldn't be taken by anyone with a history of stomach ulcers .
If one of these medicines doesn't relieve your pain, you can try taking both together. This can be used on its own or in combination with other painkillers.
Physiotherapy may be recommended if your symptoms continue for several weeks.
A physiotherapist may use a range of physical techniques to help improve your symptoms, such as:
You may be able to get a referral for NHS physiotherapy through your GP, or you can choose to pay for private treatment.
Continuing with the treatments aboveis often recommended.
If you have long-term pain,ask yourGP about a referral to a specialist NHS pain clinic for further treatment and support.
If you're struggling to cope with your symptoms, talk to your GP about medication and psychological support such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that may help.
Find out what whiplash is, how it happens, what the symptoms are and how it can be treated.
Find out about the main treatments for whiplash, including self-care advice, painkillers and physiotherapy.