1. Act Before Pain Appears
If you were involved in a car collision, take care of your neck and back immediately. Apply ice as soon as you get home to prevent inflammation and decrease the chances of swelling and tightening. After the first few hours, pain and stiffness should be treated with heat rather than with ice, but the application of ice at the onset of the problem should reduce the symptoms considerably. You can increase the effect by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Aleve or Motrin.
2. Get a Diagnosis
Not all neck pain following a car collision is due to whiplash. In fact, many people jump to the conclusion and self-diagnose this while in reality they are suffering more serious injuries, such as a displaced disk or a damaged neck ligament. Following an accident, and especially after the onset of symptoms, it is important to visit a doctor to get a full examination and diagnosis. The doctor will be able to prescribe the best course of action based on the intensity and extent of the damage. If you are active in sports or have a job that requires lots of heavy lifting, your doctor can also help you modify your daily activities, so you can avoid added pain.
3. Visit Your Local Drugstore
Most cases of whiplash can be treated with items found over-the-counter at any health food store or pharmacy. Pain relievers, in the form of either pills or gels, are good first steps, followed by basic exercises to help strengthen and stretch the muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back.
Special pillows created for neck support can also help maintain good posture and prevent twists and turns that can increase strain and pain. Buckwheat pillows are especially good since they conform to the neck and can be used by people sleeping in any position.
