Total Body Physio Services
Whiplash Treatment Inner West Sydney
Total Body Physio offer quality physiotherapy care for individuals suffering from whiplash.
What is a whiplash neck sprain?
Total Body Physio proudly offer quality whiplash treatment to residents in Five Dock and surrounds including Drummoyne, Concord, Burwood, Croydon, Homebush, Abbotsford, Ashfield, Haberfield, Leichhardt, Summer Hill, Enfield, Strathfield, Cabarita, Rodd Point, Lilyfield, Chiswick & Lewisham.
A whiplash neck sprain occurs when your head is suddenly jolted backwards and forwards in a whip-like movement usually caused in motor car accidents known as a “rear-ender”. These movements generate considerable force, typically causing the neck to move far beyond the normal range of movement and causes damage to the delicate supporting structures of the neck. Whiplash is effectively a sprain of the joints in the neck – Physiotherapists refer to this as a vertebral dysfunction.
Whiplash can also result from forceful sporting injuries that cause similar stress to the neck joints, ligaments, muscles and discs.
Who gets whiplash?
Whiplash Symptoms
Pain in the neck
Head feels too heavy for the neck
Reduced neck movement
Neck stiffness
Pain into the shoulders and arms
Tingling in the arms and fingers
Dizziness, headache, blurred vision and pain on swallowing
Irritability and difficulty to concentrate
Whiplash Treatment
Physiotherapy management of whiplash is extremely effective. All Physiotherapy care initially consists of a through history, orthopaedic, neurological and spinal examination to determine the exact location of your neck pain. Diagnostic imaging such as Xray, CT and MRI scans may also be required to fully assess any damage.
Treatment consists of reducing pain and inflammation and stabilizing your neck to prevent further damage. Ice is perhaps the best natural anti-inflammatory modality and it is also very soothing when your neck is painful.
If you are able to support your head and neck, it is especially important to keep your neck mobile rather than immobilizing it in a soft cervical collar. Studies have shown that you are more likely to make a quicker recovery if you do regular neck exercises, and keep your neck active rather than resting it for long periods in a collar.
Helpful Advice
As your pain decreases, and your stability improves, your physiotherapist will massage and gently mobilize your spine to help improve your neck function and reduce nerve pressure.
Some other helpful advice is to avoid poor neck posture during your daily routine and to use a firm supporting contoured pillow when sleeping.
Whiplash responds very well to Physiotherapy treatment, with most people experiencing significant improvement within weeks of beginning care.