Whiplash injury

Mechanism and manifestations

After a collision, symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness and headache. Whiplash-associated disorders are classified by clinical findings; the mechanism does not automatically imply fracture or cord injury.

Diagnosis and management

Initial assessment identifies indications for imaging or urgent referral. Without serious injury, information, gradual activity and individualized exercise are often central. Persistent symptoms require reassessment of physical and psychosocial contributors.

Points to consider

After trauma, pain intensity and injury severity are not always proportional. Mechanism, level, neurological status and stability guide care. New weakness, sensory loss, breathing difficulty or impaired walking requires urgent assessment.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Cervical sprain — Injury to neck ligaments or a joint capsule when mechanical tolerance is exceeded, with variable severity.
• Traumatic spinal cord injury — Spinal cord damage caused by trauma that may disrupt motor, sensory and autonomic function below the injured level.
• Cervical facet dislocation — Loss of normal alignment at one or both cervical facet joints, usually traumatic and often associated with substantial instability.

Medical references

1. State Insurance Regulatory Authority, NSW. Quick reference guide for acute whiplash-associated disorders (2014 guidelines).
2. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Neck Pain.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.