I have came across people that after a car accident many months earlier have had on going problems with their neck, arms and hands. Joints get damaged, and close to the joints run nerves, nerves to the arms. The joints become swollen and nerves become compressed resulting in pain, pins and needles, in the neck, arms and/or hands.

For most people it is worse in the morning when they have just woken, then the neck muscles are stiff. Whip lash generally takes a long time, and even longer for some, even 18 months.

What is important -

Get it looked at by a  Osteopath or Chiropractor for the first few weeks,then for ongoing treatments over the months get regular Acupuncture or Reflexology

Keep joints moving without over doing it (NOT immediately after the injury) get advice

Anti-inflammatory supplements –

Vitamin C

Omega-3

Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory

Boswellia is useful for generalized inflammation

Turmeric for many different inflammatory conditions

Topically- Arnica in a cream

Expert advice as soon as possible-

It is extremely important you get profession advice as soon as possible, especially in the acute (recent) stage as you can do more harm than good.