Dr Philippa Kaye on Whiplash
Dr Philippa Kaye explains what whiplash is, how to treat it and when to seek urgent medical help.
Dr Philippa Kaye
Sally had been in a road traffic accident two days earlier. When approaching traffic lights that were about to change, she felt her car being shunted forward into the car in front as she was hit from the car behind.
Everyone got out of their cars and although Sally felt very shocked and shaky she did not have any other symptoms, and thankfully everyone else seemed to be fine. So after sharing contact details for insurance, she drove home. She had been on her way to the supermarket but decided to send her husband later!
She pottered around as usual that evening and went to bed, on waking the next morning she was a bit achey and felt a bit low but assumed this was normal. However over the course of the day she started getting pains in her neck which got gradually worse and had come in to see me because she then developed a headache as well and was worried that things seemed to be getting worse as opposed to better!
As you may have guessed Sally had whiplash which is an extremely common injury after road traffic accidents.
What is whiplash?
As your car undergoes the impact, either from being hit from behind, hitting the car in front, or as in Sally’s case, being hit from behind and shunted into the car in front, so actually two impacts, your neck extremely rapidly extends and flexes. This can lead to tearing and straining of the muscles in the neck and shoulders. Classically there is no or little pain at the time of the crash itself and the pain develops and then worsens over the following few days.
Whiplash symptoms and pain
The muscles in your neck come over your head like a wetsuit and so tightness and tension in the neck muscles can lead to headaches, pain in the forehead or just under the eyebrows, and if you are prone to them can bring on a migraine. There may also be pain in the shoulders which can travel into your arms. Patients often describe the pain as achey and tight.
When would urgent medical advice be required?
If you have any neurological symptoms you should seek urgent medical advice – for example, if you have weakness in your arms or legs, or if you can’t pick up your mug of tea when you previously could.
Neurological symptoms can also affect the sensory part of the nervous system so if you notice numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, hands or feet you must seek advice. If you have difficulties passing urine or stools, or if you become incontinent, or can’t feel the paper when you wipe yourself after the toilet, please seek medical help extremely urgently.
What treatment is available?
Sally had been wearing her seatbelt (gentle reminder that we should all always be wearing a seatbelt) and had headrests in her car which help. She thankfully had no neurological symptoms and I was able to reassure her that her symptoms, although they may worsen over the next few days, are then likely to get better with time.
Simple measures such as ice packs or heat pads can be helpful to relieve pain, as can over the counter painkillers such as non steroid anti inflammatories such as ibuprofen which can be taken orally or used as a gel, and paracetamol. Always check with the pharmacist before taking any medication in case it is contraindicated with your other health conditions or medications.
When over the counter painkillers are not working…
Pic: Shutterstock / Hurst Photo
Stronger painkillers are available on prescription and depending on your symptoms and pain levels your GP will prescribe them as appropriate, using the pain ladder or analgesic pathway to work up the painkilling medications as appropriate.
Your GP may also be able to advise on neck and upper back stretching and strengthening exercises. If your pain does not improve after 6-8 weeks your GP may referring you to a physiotherapist. This may involve exercises and massage and generally has good results.
Advice given in this article and on the My Weekly website and magazines is not meant to replace personalised medical advice from your doctor. If you have any health concerns please see your doctor.
Article written on December 17, 2020; article reviewed and updated on August 28, 2024.
Each week we’ll ask Dr Philippa Kaye to talk about a prominent health issue, so look out for more articles in our health and wellbeing section in coming weeks. Read her advice on Ulcerative Colitis, Pre-diabetes, Skin Cancer, Allergies, Parkinson’s Disease, Shingles, Ovarian Cancer, Endometriosis, Long Covid and Ticks and Lyme Disease.
Allison Hay
I joined the "My Weekly" team thirteen years ago and, more recently, "The People's Friend". I love the variety of topics we cover both online and in the magazines. I manage the digital content for the brands, sharing features and information on the website, social media and in our digital newsletters.
