Cervical Spine

The cervical spine consists of the seven vertebrae from the bottom of the skull to the shoulders where it joins with the thoracic spine. This is the area most commonly hurt in whiplash injuries, resulting in possible damage to the vertebrae and disks themselves, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. Many types of pain can radiate from this area causing a variety of symptoms including cervical or tension headaches, localised neck pain, upper back pain, referred arm pain including hand and fingers and neural symptoms such as numbness, tingling and pins/needles into the upper back, arm and hand. Early intervention and access to painkillers and physiotherapy is vital to ensure full recovery which can take between 6 months to 2 years depending on severity.