Early in my career, people who had had a whiplash were often prescribed immobilization with a neck collar. We now know that this measure is not only ineffective, but harmful.

You can rest for a few days, but as quickly as possible you have to resume normal activities. If you wait until you have no more pain before resuming activities, there is a very high risk of progression to chronicity.

Anti-inflammatory drugs are too often used and prescribed for trauma. They are reserved for patients with inflammatory arthritis. 

Dominic Larose, M.D CMFC(MU) FACEP.