• Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  • Subscribe
Dr. Weil Logo Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
Press "Enter" to search
Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
  • Health & Wellness
    Health & Wellness
    Body, Mind & Spirit
    • Addiction
    • Allergy & Asthma
    • Autoimmune Disorders
    • Back Pain
    • Bone & Joint
    • Cancer
    • Colds & Flu
    • Dental & Oral
    • Diabetes
    • Disease & Disorders
    • Ears, Nose, & Throat
    • Feet
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Hair, Skin, & Nails
    • Headache
    • Heart
    • Insects & Parasites
    • Liver & Kidney
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Fertility
    • Respiratory
    • Sexual Health
    • Sleep Issues
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Vision
    Balanced Living
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Gardening
    • Healthy Home
    • Healthy Living
    • Meditation & Inspiration
    • Meet Dr. Weil
    • Pets & Pet Care
    • Technology
    • Wellness Therapies
    Health Centers
    • Aging Gracefully
    • Children
    • Condition Care Guide
    • Men
    • Women
  • Diet & Nutrition
    Diet & Nutrition
    Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Pyramid
    Cooking & Cookware
    Diets & Weight Loss
    Food Safety
    Nutrition
    Recipes
  • Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Vitamins, Supplements & Herbs
    Herbs
    Supplements & Remedies
    Vitamins
  • Ask Dr. Weil
  • Blogs
    Blogs
    Bulletins
    Health Tips
    Spontaneous Happiness
  • Mushrooms
  • Sleep
  • Weil Nutrition Corner
  • Meet Dr. Weil
  • Origins
  • Healthy Aging
  • Marketplace
  • Podcasts
  • Accessibility
  1. Home
  2. Health & Wellness
  3. Balanced Living
  4. Healthy Living

What to Do About Whiplash?

My sister was recently in a car accident where she was rear-ended. She has been suffering from what she calls whiplash. Exactly what is whiplash and what can she do to relieve the pain?

Andrew Weil, M.D. | February 25, 2014

Macro close up of hands doing manipulative massage on female back.
2 min

Whiplash is the common term for a neck injury involving rapid flexion and extension of the neck. These injuries frequently occur, as your sister’s did, during rear-end automobile accidents when the head is suddenly jolted back and then snaps forward in response to the impact and mechanical forces of the crash. The pain stems from the effect of this sudden and violent motion on neck muscles and ligaments as they are extended beyond their normal range of motion. Sometimes, the injury affects intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots. Whiplash can also occur as a result of physical abuse and is one of the injuries seen in "shaken baby syndrome." The same type of injury can be sustained while playing football or other contact sports.

Symptoms of whiplash usually develop within 24 hours of the trauma and can include neck pain and stiffness, headache (usually at the base of the skull), dizziness, blurred vision and fatigue. More severe symptoms can include problems with memory and concentration, ringing in the ears, sleep problems, irritability and shoulder or back pain. If the pain spreads to your shoulders or arms, if you develop numbness tingling or weakness in your arms, or if you have difficulty moving your head, be sure to see your doctor.

Most people recover from whiplash injuries within a few days; in some cases, symptoms persist for weeks or, rarely, months. Often, the only treatment needed is over-the-counter pain medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Initially, you can use ice on the injured area to reduce inflammation. Later, apply wet heat to help relax your muscles before doing range-of-motion exercises. More severe injuries may require treatment with antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and, perhaps, a cervical collar to be worn for up to three hours day for a few days after the injury. (Wearing these collars for too long is not recommended since they can ultimately weaken neck muscles and impair recovery.) Other treatments may include a course of range-of-motion exercises and physical therapy.

My main recommendations for whiplash treatment are osteopathic manipulative therapy and therapeutic yoga. To find an osteopathic physician in your area qualified to treat you with manipulative therapy, visit the American Osteopathic Association website, or go here to find a therapeutic yoga teacher.

Incidentally, you can visit this website to learn about clinical trials on whiplash that are underway or are recruiting volunteers.

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Advertisement
Related Weil Products

Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging - Your Online Guide to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet!

Everything you need to get started eating a healthful, satisfying diet is here – including eating and shopping guides, over 300 recipes, and an exclusive version of Dr. Weil’s Anti-Inflammatory Food Pyramid! Start your 14-day free trial now – and start eating anti-inflammatory today!
Get Started
Dr. Weil on Healthy Aging

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Free Newsletters

Stay Connected With Dr. Weil

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Follow Dr. Weil’s Food Pyramid

Get Dr Weils Newsletter Updates

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

Dr. Weil's FREE health living advice delivered to you!

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to the DrWeil.com Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive emails from DrWeil.com, and you may opt out of DrWeil.com subscriptions at any time.

Trending Now

Portrait an unknown male doctor holding a stethoscope behind
Healthy Living

A Better Kind of Medicine?

Young couple is relaxing in the sauna. High angle view.
Healthy Living

A Better Way to Sweat?

Laboratory assistant analyzing a blood sample
Healthy Living

A Dark View of Your Blood?

Meet Dr. Weil: A Healthy Doctor | Andrew Weil, M.D.
Healthy Living

A Healthy Doctor

Dr. Weil Logo Weil™ Andrew Weil, M.D.
Dr. Weil's Signature

Exclusive Lifestyle, Nutrition & Health Advice

  • About Us
  • Press Information
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands.

© Copyright 2025 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. www.drweil.com