1. Talk to Your Doctor About Cervical Collars
While collars were once the most commonly prescribed items for managing whiplash pain, doctors now recommend them only as temporary aids rather than long-term solutions. This is because wearing cervical collars for more than a few hours a day can lead to weakening of the muscles and result in long-term damage or slow recovery. The best uses for cervical collars are either as a preventive measure right after the accident and before a diagnosis has been made or for a few hours before bedtime to help the neck relax and facilitate sleep.
2. Consider Physical Therapy
Your doctor will probably prescribe some basic exercises during the first visit and ask you to repeat them several times a day. These exercises are designed to help you stretch the neck muscles and help the vertebrae return to their natural position if they were pushed or contracted during the collision. If your pain doesn't disappear or your symptoms don't improve after a few weeks, you may need physical therapy, in which a professional will guide you through more specific exercises and a larger range of motion.
3. Manage the Pain
Over-the-counter medication should be enough to manage whiplash pain. If it isn't, you have a series of different options to discuss with your doctors. The next logical step will be prescription pain medications, but these are rather problematic since many contain codeine, which can be addictive if taken for long periods of time. If you suffer from muscle spasms, you could be prescribed a corticosteroid injection or muscle relaxant, although these are often prescribed as occasional, rather than everyday, treatments.
4. Look Into Alternative Medicine
If the idea of taking pain medication for a long period of time seems daunting, you should look into acupuncture and chiropractic care, which are often recommended for treating and managing whiplash. A massage therapist may also be able to help with persistent pain that doesn't seem to respond to oral medication.
