Whiplash is a type of injury that affects the neck muscles and ligaments. The neck’s soft tissues, including the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, can be strained or torn as a result of rapid back-and-forth movement during a car accident or other traumatic event. The muscles most commonly affected by whiplash include the neck extensors, flexors, and rotators, as well as the upper trapezius and levator scapulae.
Whiplash affects the following neck muscles:
- Neck Extensors: The neck extensors, such as the splenius capitis, splenius cervicis, and semispinalis capitis, are responsible for extending (lifting) the head. During a whiplash injury, these muscles can be stretched or torn, leading to pain and decreased ability to lift the head.
- Neck Flexors: The neck flexors, such as the sternocleidomastoid and the anterior scalene muscles, are responsible for flexing (bending) the neck forward. During a whiplash injury, these muscles can be stretched or torn, leading to pain and decreased ability to bend the neck forward.
- Neck Rotators: The neck rotators, such as the scalenes, sternocleidomastoid, and the deep cervical muscles, are responsible for rotating the neck. During a whiplash injury, these muscles can be stretched or torn, leading to pain and decreased ability to rotate the neck.
- Upper Trapezius: The upper trapezius muscle is responsible for elevating the shoulder and rotating the neck. During a whiplash injury, this muscle can be strained or torn, leading to pain and decreased ability to move the shoulder and neck.
- Levator Scapulae: The levator scapulae muscle is responsible for elevating the shoulder blade. During a whiplash injury, this muscle can be strained or torn, leading to pain and decreased ability to move the shoulder blade.
It’s important to note that the effects of whiplash on these muscles can vary greatly from person to person, and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and decreased function. Treatment for whiplash typically involves a combination of physical therapy, pain management, and other interventions tailored to the individual’s specific needs.
You can learn more about whiplash from our whiplash statistics page, or by reading other posts on our blog. Here are some of the most read articles from the blog: