Should whiplash symptoms be treated at a hospital?

While whiplash symptoms can be severe, most cases do not require treatment at a hospital. In fact, most people who experience whiplash injuries are able to recover fully with conservative treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), over-the-counter pain relievers, and physical therapy.

A small percentage of people with whiplash injuries will need to seek emergency medical care, in cases such as:

- Severe neck pain that does not improve with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers

- Difficulty speaking or swallowing

- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

- Loss of consciousness

- Seizures

- Blurred vision

- Dizziness

- Confusion

In these cases, hospitalization may be needed for observation, diagnostic testing, and treatment.