Whiplash After a Car Accident: Symptoms, Delayed Pain, and When to Get Checked

Whiplash is a neck strain from the head being thrown quickly forward and back, most often in a rear-end car crash. Pain and stiffness often don't start until hours to a day later. Most whiplash improves within a few weeks with gentle movement, ice or heat, and pain relievers. Get checked after any crash with neck pain, and go to the ER for neck pain with numbness, weakness, a severe headache, or if you can't move your neck.

Whiplash symptoms

• Neck pain and stiffness, often worse when moving the head
• Headache, often starting at the base of the skull
• Pain or tightness in the shoulders, upper back or arms
• Tingling in the arms or hands
• Tiredness, dizziness or trouble concentrating
• Symptoms that start or get worse 6 to 24 hours after the crash

Why get checked early

Adrenaline after a crash can hide pain. An early exam can rule out a fracture or nerve injury, and a record of your injury soon after the accident can help with insurance or a claim. Our post on concussion symptoms covers head injuries, which often happen along with whiplash.

What helps

• Keep gently moving your neck. Long periods of rest or a soft collar can slow recovery.
• Use ice for the first day or two, then heat if it feels better
• Take ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen, if they're safe for you
• Try gentle neck stretches as pain allows
• Sleep on your back or side with a supportive pillow
• Physical therapy if pain lasts more than a couple of weeks

Most people improve within two to six weeks, though some have pain for longer.

What urgent care can do

A clinician can examine your neck, check strength, sensation and reflexes, and decide whether you need an X-ray. Treatment can include prescription medicine for pain or muscle spasm and a plan for activity and follow-up. If anything suggests a spinal injury, you'll be sent to the ER. If the crash happened while working, see our post on being hurt at work in Colorado.

At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, a visit with one moderate service such as an X-ray is $250, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. Auto insurance may also cover care after a crash; check your policy. See our back and neck pain page and the cost and insurance page.

Call 911 or go to the ER if after a crash you have severe neck pain, can't move your neck, have numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs, trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, a severe or worsening headache, confusion, repeated vomiting, or you were knocked out. Don't move someone with possible neck injury unless they're in danger.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.