Whiplash Injuries
GETTING PHYSIO THERAPY TREATMENT TO GET YOU BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by excessive stress on the cervical spine due to sudden jerking or uncontrolled movement of the neck in a rear-end car collisions. It may also occur in roller coaster ridse or sports injuries. The uncontrolled movement of the neck causes damage to the muscles, ligaments and joints in the cervical spine.. This can result in pain, muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness and stiffness in the neck and shoulders. Other possible symptoms for whiplash include tingling or numbness into arms and hands, pain in the back of shoulder or shoulder blade, and some people ater car collisions also suffer low back pain.
If you are unfortunate enough to sustain a whiplash injury, you should find that gentle neck exercises will help to keep your neck mobile. While exercising, you may feel pain in your neck. This is normal. If it is not too severe you can continue, but do be guided by your pain. Never try to keep the neck stiff or use collar or neck brace. Exercises at an early stage will improve the functionality of your neck and speed up healing.
Should your symptoms not start to ease after a couple of weeks, physiotherapy can help speed up your natural healing and restore function. Our croydon physios can use various techniques to help you recover quickly
- Ice or electrical stimulation to ease pain and reduce inflammation
- Soft tissue massage can help calm muscle spasm and pain
- Exercises to help tone and control the muscle
- Advice on sleeping positions / pillows and work postures
- Postural Advice for correction of proper neck positioning during working at respective workplaces
- Education with a purpose to avoid future problems
- Sports specific rehabilitation if required