Whiplash

WHAT IS IT?

Whiplash can be defined as an injury to the neck resulting from a sudden thrusting forwards followed by a snapping back of the neck.

  • It is part of our modern lives
  • Approx 1 in 200 will suffer from it at some point but it is rarely serious
  • Most people make a full return to health
  • What you do about your pain makes a big difference to your recovery. Take control of the pain and you will get better faster and feel better soon
  • It may be caused by rear-ended or side-impact motor vehicle collisions
  • The immediate result can be injury to the bone or soft tissue
  • These injuries may lead to secondary problems (called whiplash associated disorders WAD)e.g. headaches, increased anxiety etc
  • Most whiplash injuries do very little lasting damage
  • Further investigations e.g. X-Rays/Scans are not necessary
  • The exact reasons for the symptoms that you are experiencing are not know
  • What we know is that the nerve endings are stimulated and your brain interprets these as pain
  • Your symptoms can take a few days to come on – don’t worry that is a good sign
  • Symptoms are a normal reaction to injury of the working parts of your neck. You will recover; it can take a few days/weeks for the acute pain to settle
  • Remember whiplash is a short term problem. Your neck likes to move and if injured is able to repair itself.
  • Very few people suffer with long term symptoms
  • Some people take longer than others to recover and some can have problems for up to 12 weeks

However if you have:

  • Constant, Unremitting neck pain
  • Or you were involved in a violent accident

Then you must Attend A&E or your GP

Once you have attended your GP or A&E you may be advised to seek advice from your Chartered Physiotherapist.

Here at Physio4U our chartered physiotherapists use a problem solving approach to assessment and treatment and can advise you on all aspects which will help you reduce your pain and allow you to return to normal function both at work and leisure as quickly and safely as possible.

TOP 3 TIPS FOR WHIPLASH SUFFERERS:

1.Stay active:

Your neck likes to move therefore keeping active is a very important part of your rehabilitation. The Physio’s here at Physio4U can advise you on what you should be doing both at home and at work. Early return to work is associated with a better functional outcome with whiplash
Remember the day you stop work because of your pain gives you a 10% chance of still not being back to work in a year’s time

2.Exercise:

Exercise prescription is one of the areas of expertise of all the chartered physiotherapists at Physio4U, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Following your initial assessment we can show you the correct exercise programme for you which help speed up your recovery.

3.Pain Relief:

Regular pain relief as prescribed by your GP will allow you to move better and help reduce your pain. Heat and cold can also be used as indicated. Please ensure that the correct precautions are taking when using either heat or cold. At your session at Physio4U ask your physio/physical therapist about correct use of these forms of pain relief if you are unsure.

What else does Physio4U offer in the treatment of Whiplash?

Chartered Physiotherapists are experts in the area of rehabilitation. Here at Physio4U all our chartered physiotherapists are experts in the area of manual therapy. Therefore if you have a restriction in your neck range of motion we may use a variety of techniques depending on what we have found when we have assessed you at your first session to restore your normal range of motion.

Techniques that we are experts in include:

  • Manual therapy e.g. mobilisation techniques, soft tissue massage, manipulation, stretching etc
  • Postural advice and education particularly when at work, rest and play. Advice concerning pillows, ergonomics, rest breaks will be introduced on an individual basis
  • Relaxation techniques which can reduce both anxiety and pain. This also works very effectively at reducing muscular tension in painful tissues.

Other modalities available to us are:
Acupuncture
Remember early intervention by both your GP and your Chartered Physiotherapists will minimise the risk of a poor recovery
Getting going early is a key to rehabilitation and return to normal function
Want to know more??? Email us at info@physio4u.ie or call us on (091)792871/792874