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Help relieve your neck pain

	If your head is suddenly jolted backward and forward in a whiplike movement, and it’s painful and stiff, you may have whiplash. ConsumerReportsHealth.org can help you find treatments for whiplash that work well.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org today and find out if medication or physical therapy rate best for treating whiplash.

Consumer Reports Health explains the best and most up-to-date expert research and evidence about treating whiplash. Our clear and sound advice helps you and your doctor choose the best treatment options.

Key points about whiplash

• Being in a car crash is a common way of getting whiplash.
• You can also get whiplash from a sports injury.
• Whiplash occurs when your neck muscles and ligaments stretch more than normal and may be sprained.
• The pain will probably feel worse the day after the injury.
• Keeping your neck moving as normally as possible helps stop it from stiffening up.
• Your pain and stiffness should start to get better within a few days and shouldn’t last more than a few weeks.
• You should see your doctor if your symptoms are very bad or get worse.

Whiplash makes your neck feel sore and painful, especially when you try to move it. Other symptoms you may experience include headaches, pain in your shoulder, between your shoulder blades, or in your lower back, or dizziness or blurred vision. Tell your doctor if these symptoms don’t go away within a few days.

Our concise condition report and treatment ratings table will help you and your doctor decide which treatment for whiplash is right for you. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, we'll also help you sort through the best research and the most effective treatments for over 100 conditions and illnesses that may affect you and your family.