Should I Wear A Collar To Treat Whiplash Or Not?

There has been much debate as to whether or not it is a good idea to use a neck collar to help treat whiplash-type injuries. The pain and stiffness that a whiplash victim will suffer is caused by damage to the soft tissue in the neck area and the idea of a neck collar is to immobilise the neck which theoretically allows it time to heal and recover without being put under any additional strain. The idea is that any additional movement may cause the muscles in the neck to become even more damaged and even tear.

In the past, the use of a neck collar to treat whiplash injuries was very popular amongst medical professionals believing that immobilisation was the best way to ensure a speedy recovery. However, in more recent years more and more practitioners have decided that movement in the neck should be encouraged in order to keep the area supple and flexible.

In some cases, soft collars (cervical orthosis), as opposed to hard collars are still recommended for short-term or intermittent uses. This approach tends to be used particularly in cases where the neck muscles have been badly damaged due to whiplash where extra support is needed to prevent muscle fatigue. It is often subject to the severity of the injury whether a neck collar is needed or not, it may also depend on the opinion of your particular practitioner.

There are different types of collars that can be used. A heated physio neck collar can be extremely effective for whiplash or a stiff neck and most of these collars can be heated in the microwave for ease of use. However, it may be the heat that is more beneficial than the collar as a lot of neck pain can be completely relieved with heat without the need for any kind of sturdy neck collar at all. 

Whether you are issued with a neck collar or not you may find some gentle exercises beneficial to your condition. Most practitioners will not advise against a return to work as gentle exercises such as walking with a collar can actually help to keep the spine and neck mobile and responsive. Getting your neck used to gentle movement may even help speed up your recovery time. If you are not wearing a neck collar then you could carry out daily neck exercises like nodding and shaking your head to retrain the muscles after being immobilised. It is always advisable to seek professional medical advice before embarking on any sort of exercise with a neck injury, no matter how gentle as you could be at risk of injuring yourself further.