(HealthDay News) — From a car accident to a sports mishap, any incident that snaps the head forward and backward can trigger whiplash.

Hallmarks of whiplash include pain, decreased range of motion and stiff neck. Because the injury can’t always be seen in imaging tests, symptoms are the primary way to identify whiplash, says Cleveland Clinic.

To treat whiplash, you can perform stretching exercises three-to-four times a day. Cleveland Clinic suggests that you rotate the neck from side to side, tilt the head from side to side, move the neck forward toward the chest and backward, and roll the shoulders in circles.

Cleveland Clinic also recommends applying ice to the area to loosen tight muscles. If there’s significant pain, visit a doctor.

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