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What are the Causes and Symptoms of Whiplash?

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Ques.:- Do you know how Metro Physio can help?

 Here at Metro Physio we are fully trained and qualified Musculoskeletal physio experts who can spot a whiplash injury and give you fantastic advice and treatment to help you get through this problem. Whiplash is an injury which can be the result of a sudden jolt of the neck back and forth.

This will affect your muscles, bones, joints, nerves and ligaments straight away or can sometimes take a little longer. It can normally happen from a road traffic accident or a motor vehicle accident. Sometimes even a sports related injury can give you whiplash.

Ques.:- What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?

Symptoms and severity of whiplash can vary significantly between people. The most commonly reported symptom is neck pain or stiffness. This can occur anywhere from immediately after the injury to several days later.

Symptoms may include:Neck pain or stiffnessHeadacheShoulder pain, arm pain or upper back pain.DizzinessAltered sensationWeaknessVisual disturbancesHearing difficultiesDifficulty speaking or swallowingDifficulty concentrating

Ques.:- How is Whiplash Diagnosed?

Whiplash is a clinical diagnosis based of your history of injury and clinical testing. Radiological tests may be useful to identify injury to specific structures such as a fractured vertebra, disc injury, muscles or ligaments.

Red FlagsWhiplash Treatment

Red Flags

Due to traumatic nature of a whiplash injury; there is a risk of more urgent or sinister injuries which need to be ruled out before undergoing treatment. Your physiotherapist and GP are trained to detect anything abnormal which warrants further investigation, however please notify a health professional if you have (or develop) any of the following:

Bilateral pins and needlesGait disturbancesProgressively worsening weakness or sensation problemsPins and needles or numbness in the faceDifficulty speaking or swallowingDrop attacks/faintingBladder or bowel problems

Whiplash Treatment

Research shows the most effective way to treat your injury is with a combination of treatment options which are tailored to your individual dysfunctions. Research evidence supports various treatment approaches. Your best treatment direction should be guided by an expert in the rehabilitation such as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist who specializes in neck injuries or whiplash.

Potential treatment methods for whiplash include:

Continuing your normal daily regime: Acting Normal!Active treatment guided by your physiotherapist.Exercise to encourage flexibility, strength and good posture.Fine neck muscle and proprioception retraining programs guided by a

physiotherapist.Acupuncture or dry needling for pain relief.

Physiotherapy

Most whiplash patients will start to feel better within a few weeks of the injury. Your physiotherapy treatment will aim to:

Reduce neck pain, headaches and inflammation.Normalise joint range of motion.Strengthen your neck muscles.Strengthen your upper back muscles.Improve your neck posture.Normalise your muscle lengths and resting muscle tension.

Will you get better?

Yes. However whiplash injuries can take from a few days to several months to rehabilitate.

Just as the symptoms and severity of whiplash can vary from person to person, so can the recovery time. The good news is that research shows the large majority of whiplash sufferers recover with actively guided treatment.

There are many other factors which can impact on your recovery, including depression and trauma-related anxiety, so it is important to raise any additional issues with a qualified health professional to give yourself the best chance of recovery.

info@metrophysio.co.uk

0161 745 7551 (Greater Manchester)0151 515 2323 (Merseyside, Liverpool)

www.metrophysio.co.uk