Whiplash Injury Research Paper
Causes/Risk Factors
Whiplash typically occurs when a person's head is forcefully and quickly thrown backward and then forward. This motion can injure bones in the spine, disks between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues of the neck. This type of injury may result from:
• Auto accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash.
• Physical abuse or assault. Whiplash may also result from incidents of being punched or shaken. Whiplash is one of the injuries sustained in shaken baby syndrome.
• Contact sports. Football tackles and other sports-related collisions can sometimes cause whiplash injuries.
Signs and Symptoms
They usually develop within 24 hours of the injury and may include:
• Neck pain and stiffness …show more content…
Specialized imaging tests, such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be required to diagnose damage to the discs, muscles or ligaments that could be causing the symptom ms of whiplash.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to control pain, restore normal range of motion in your neck and return you to normal activities. The course of treatment will vary depending on the severity of your whiplash injury. For some people, over-the-counter drugs and at-home care may be sufficient. Other people may need prescription drugs, specialized pain treatment or physical therapy.
Pain management
• Rest. Rest may be helpful during the first 24 hours after injury, but prolonged bed rest may delay recovery.
• Ice or heat. Apply ice or heat to the neck for 15 minutes up to six times a day.
• Pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), often can control mild to moderate whiplash pain.
• Prescription painkillers. People with more-severe pain may benefit from short-term treatment with prescription pain
Whiplash typically occurs when a person's head is forcefully and quickly thrown backward and then forward. This motion can injure bones in the spine, disks between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves and other tissues of the neck. This type of injury may result from:
• Auto accidents. Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash.
• Physical abuse or assault. Whiplash may also result from incidents of being punched or shaken. Whiplash is one of the injuries sustained in shaken baby syndrome.
• Contact sports. Football tackles and other sports-related collisions can sometimes cause whiplash injuries.
Signs and Symptoms
They usually develop within 24 hours of the injury and may include:
• Neck pain and stiffness …show more content…
Specialized imaging tests, such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be required to diagnose damage to the discs, muscles or ligaments that could be causing the symptom ms of whiplash.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are to control pain, restore normal range of motion in your neck and return you to normal activities. The course of treatment will vary depending on the severity of your whiplash injury. For some people, over-the-counter drugs and at-home care may be sufficient. Other people may need prescription drugs, specialized pain treatment or physical therapy.
Pain management
• Rest. Rest may be helpful during the first 24 hours after injury, but prolonged bed rest may delay recovery.
• Ice or heat. Apply ice or heat to the neck for 15 minutes up to six times a day.
• Pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), often can control mild to moderate whiplash pain.
• Prescription painkillers. People with more-severe pain may benefit from short-term treatment with prescription pain