What is Whiplash?
Whiplash can occur in many different accidents, but is often seen in motor vehicle accidents. The weight of the head and spine is whipped back and forth with the fast movement of an accident or fall. The muscles in the neck don’t have time to react and the harsh forces, strain, rip, and tear muscles, ligaments, and other tissues. In severe cases, fractures can occur in the bones of the neck (vertebrae).
Due to the shock and trauma initially from an accident, pain may or may not be present. Whiplash typically feels worse 1–2 days after the injury as inflammation sets in and tissues become swollen. This can lead to headaches, pain with movement, and even numbness/tingling in the upper extremities.
Often, people can have long standing weakness of the neck muscles, leading to future problems, if their whiplash is not fully treated. Strengthening and postural exercises are very important to maintain stability in the neck after a whiplash injury.
How Physiotherapy helps
There are different phases or treatments to help you after suffering from whiplash. Our therapists in CityPlace, Downtown, Corktown, Etobicoke-Royal York, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Trinity Bellwoods Dundas West, and Vaughan, ON will work with your physician on the appropriate treatment to help you recover and relieve your pain. At first very gentle hands-on therapy, massage, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation may be administered to relieve the pain and gently help swollen tissues recover.
Gradual progression is then made by restoring the range of motion and beginning very gentle exercises. As you progress, the pain reduces and your range of motion improves, strengthening and postural exercises will be introduced to help you have a full recovery. It is very important to continue with the recommended treatment plan of your therapist to achieve a full recovery and prevent future problems from occurring. Call us today in CityPlace, Downtown, Corktown, Etobicoke-Royal York, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Trinity Bellwoods Dundas West, or Vaughan, ON to discover how we can help you relieve your whiplash pain quickly and make a full recovery.
