What is Whiplash?
Whiplash can occur during many types of accidents, but is most often seen with motor vehicle accidents. During the accident the head and spine is whipped back and forth. The muscles in the neck do not have time to react and the harsh forces can strain muscles, sprain ligaments, and damage 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, sometimes the pain symptoms from whiplash are not experienced immediately. The symptoms can worsen one to two days after the accident as inflammation occurs and tissues become swollen. This can lead to headaches, pain with movement, and numbness/tingling into the upper extremities. If whiplash is left untreated, muscle weakness and joint stiffness can lead to future problems.
How physical therapy helps:
Our physical therapists will work with you to determine the appropriate treatment plan based on your injury and presenting symptoms to help you recover. At first, hands-on therapy, massage, and electrical stimulation may be used to relieve the pain and help swollen tissues recover.
Gradual treatment progression is then made with the goal of restoring range of motion and initiating exercises. Exercises for posture and strength will be introduced to help maximize your recovery. It is very important to continue through with the recommended treatment plan created by your physical therapist in order to maximize your recovery and prevent future problems. Call Bay State Physical Therapy today to discover how we can help you relieve your whiplash and help you recover.
