Whiplash is the term used to describe a person’s head suddenly jerking backward and quickly forward with a high degree of force. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions but can also occur due to other causes. These include:
- Injuries from contact sports
- Falls when the head jerks backward violently
- Different types of car accidents
- Physical assault
- Bike riding accidents
- Horseback riding accidents
In a whiplash situation, the neck’s ligaments and muscles stretch past their normal range of motion. Although some medical professionals view whiplash as a minor condition, it can cause lasting pain for months or even years.
(Image Credit: highwaystarz / 123RF Stock Photo)
Common Whiplash Symptoms
Like all types of injuries, whiplash has symptoms that are common and not as common. Those in the first category include blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and pain and stiffness in the neck. Symptoms that happen less frequently include ear ringing, concentration difficulties, irritability, lack of restful sleep, and chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain.
Physical Therapy for Whiplash
Working with a physical therapist can help you recover faster from whiplash. They will likely assign you passive and active therapies to motivate your progress. Passive treatment means that you receive and do not actively participate in the activity. Deep tissue massage is a prime example of passive therapy. The goal is to apply friction and pressure to your sore muscles, ligaments, and tendons to promote healing. Hot and cold medicines can affect blood flow and reduce inflammation. These are also examples of passive treatment.
Active physical therapy types include a range of motion and strength exercises based on your health, medical history, and treatment goals. It should be highly personalized. The longer you participate in physical therapy, the fewer you expect neck pain and muscle spasms.
Chiropractic Care
When you see a regular medical doctor after developing whiplash, all they can normally do is prescribe medication. This may have no benefit on your body’s soft tissues. On the other hand, a chiropractor understands the entire human musculoskeletal system.
They facilitate healing by hand or with special instruments adjusting the cervical spine. Following auto accidents, chiropractic care encourages self-healing by releasing endorphins that cause pain and decrease inflammation.
Professional Massage
Patients can typically receive deep tissue massage from a chiropractor or a physical therapist. The latter usually offers cranial sacral therapy, trigger point massage, and deep muscle therapy. Cranial sacral therapy is most effective on neck injuries and headaches because it’s very gentle. The second therapy type focuses on applying firm pressure to the affected areas, such as the neck and shoulders. Therapy at the deep muscle level is also effective for persistent neck and back pain resulting from whiplash.
Those who saw a doctor or chiropractor immediately will likely wear a stiff foam collar at home for up to three consecutive hours. It prevents the neck from turning and causing additional injuries. People suffering from whiplash may also want to try home remedies, such as taking non-prescription pain relief and applying heat or cold to the body’s affected areas.
