health

People with only mild whiplash injuries may simply treat themselves at
home (see sidebar). While it is not always necessary to see a doctor for
whiplash, people who notice tingling or numbness in their arms or legs,
loss of function in their limbs, severe pain when trying to move the neck,
pain moving from the neck into the shoulders, headache, or dizziness
should see their doctor or go to a hospital emergency department as soon
as possible.
Doctors diagnose the seriousness of whiplash injuries by gently
moving the patient’s head to see how far the neck can move in different
directions. They will also press on different parts of the neck to see
whether there are any localized sore spots. X rays and other imaging
studies may be ordered to check for bone fractures or other signs of serious
injury to soft tissues.