Whiplash, sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries that, when they occur around the spine, can lead to neck and back pain. "Soft tissue" refers to muscles, fat, tendons and ligaments. Tendons connect the muscles to bones, and ligaments connect bones to bones.
A sprain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Since so many muscles support the spine, when they're injured, this can lead to back problems. A sprain can occur when you push a muscle beyond its ability to work, either from sudden overexertion or the repetitive stress of moving the muscles and tendons in the same way over and over.
A strain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments in the back connect the vertebrae (bones) of the spine. Spinal ligament sprains can occur due to:
Poor posture increases a person's risk of sprains and strains, since it stresses and weakens muscles and ligaments, making them more susceptible to injury, including back problems.
Sprains and strains often cause sudden, sharp and persistent pain at the injury site, followed by swelling and often limited movement.
Treatment options for sprains and strains are the same. Generally, to reduce swelling and pain in the first day or two, you can:
After the initial treatment, it's important to move the injured area to prevent stiffness and excess scar tissue, as well as increase strength. Medical professionals may recommend physical therapy for some injuries. However, you'll want to avoid placing too much stress on the area too soon, which can just cause further neck and back problems.
A whiplash injury, also called a "cervical acceleration-deceleration injury," is a combined strain/sprain injury of the cervical spine (neck) that may also cause injuries to the:
Whiplash injury occurs when a sudden acceleration thrusts a person's body forward, causing the head to rapidly whip backward and then forward. This often happens in a car collision, especially when a rear-end accident occurs.
Mild whiplash symptoms may consist of mostly pain and stiffness in the neck and upper back. However, a more serious injury may produce some of the following whiplash symptoms:
Whiplash treatment depends on the nature and extent of the injury, and may include:
A doctor may deem surgery necessary if whiplash symptoms appear that are related to nerve damage.
Back Pain Expert Staff. (n.d.). Ligament damage and back pain. Retrieved March 20, 2010, from http://www.backpainexpert.co.uk/LigamentDamage.html
Eidelson, S. (n.d.). Sprains — Strains — Soft tissue injuries. Retrieved March 19, 2010, from http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-cord-injury/sprains-strains-soft-tissue-injuries
Hunter Jr., O. (n.d.). Cervical sprain and strain: Treatment and medication. Retrieved March 20, 2010, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/306176-treatment
MD Guidelines Staff. (n.d.). Sprains and strains, cervical spine (neck). Retrieved March 19, 2010, from http://www.mdguidelines.com/sprains-and-strains-cervical-spine-neck
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Staff (2009). Sprains and strains. Retrieved March 19, 2010, from http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/sprains_and_strains_ff.asp
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