Whiplash

Symptoms of whiplash can include neck pain and stiffness after an injury that whips the head forward and backward.

[Pathology and treatment of traumatic cervical spine syndrome: whiplash injury](https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4765050). [Spinal trauma and spinal cord injury (SCI)](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554330/). Whiplash is a mild to moderate injury of the neck muscles. Whiplash is a neck sprain that often occurs after a motor vehicle collision but can happen with any injury that quickly jerks the neck forward and backward. [Physiotherapy management of whiplash-associated disorders (WAD)](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jphys.2013.12.004). It is important not to confuse whiplash with traumatic cervical spine injury. Advil is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory that can be taken with the pain reliever Tylenol, which work in different ways. Symptoms are usually the worst the next day (24 hours later).4 At that time, people seek medical attention and the severity of their injury is determined. Acute pain can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and moist heat.3 More significant complications can occur with extreme injuries, but they are associated with cervical spine fractures and dislocations. Complications from whiplash can occur, especially with severe grade 3 or grade 4 injuries. These structures include muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, blood vessels, and nerves.2 Any or all of these can be affected by a whiplash injury.