Whiplash Prevention and Relief

The key recovery goal is to help you resume normal activities. Follow the treatment plan specified by your spine specialist or physical therapist. A home exercise program customized by your physical therapist is usually an important component to rebuilding strength and increasing range of motion.

Maintaining good overall health also can help speed recovery. This includes getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods, and not smoking. Also, avoid activities that instigate or worsen your pain and stiffness. Don’t lift or carry anything heavy or participate in sports. Then, once your neck has healed, practice proper stretching exercises to reduce the chance that neck pain or stiffness will come back.

Pain and discomfort are inevitable after surgery, but pain medication can help you cope. A healthy and active lifestyle improves circulation and healing, and physical therapy can help you build strength, flexibility, and increase your range of motion.

Perhaps most importantly, whiplash usually can be prevented. Most cases of whiplash happen in rear-end car crashes; the best way to protect yourself is to wear your seat belt correctly and wear it in every car ride. Also, adjust your car to ensure optimum safety by checking that the headrest is not too low--the top of the headrest should be even with the upper tips of your ears, and must be close enough to stop your head from moving too far (about 2 inches). A seat reclined back too far will increase this distance, as will poor posture.Aside from car accidents, whiplash often happens in sports injuries. If you play sports, especially contact sports like football, always make sure you wear the proper protective equipment.