Help For Whiplash in Bendigo
What is Whiplash?
A whiplash neck injury develops when your head is abruptly jolted forward and backward (sometimes side to side) in a whip-like movement, typically in a car crash, or “rear-ender”. These movements produce substantial force, commonly causing the neck to go far beyond its usual range of movement and causes harm to the fragile supporting structures of the neck. Whiplash is essentially a sprain of the joints in the neck (vertebral dysfunction) and places significant stress through other structures such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Whiplash may also be a consequence of forceful sporting incidents that cause similar stress to the neck joints, ligaments, muscles and discs.
Symptoms of Whiplash
As the symptoms of whiplash vary, these represent the most typical effects:
- Neck pain
- Head seems too heavy for the neck
- Reduced neck movement
- Neck stiffness/tension
- Pain from the shoulders and arms
- Pins and needles, numbness into arms
- Light-headedness, headache, blurry vision and discomfort on swallowing
- Irritability and trouble focusing
New Patient Special Offer
$20 Off your Initial Physio Assessment
New Patient Special Offer
$20 Off your Initial Physio Assessment
Treatment for Whiplash
Physiotherapy treatments for whiplash can be very effective. All Physiotherapy care starts with a through history, orthopaedic, neurological and spinal evaluation to find out the source of your neck pain. Diagnostic imaging including xray, CT and MRI scans can also be necessary to fully assess neck structures.
Treatment includes using methods such as massage, mobilisation, dry needling, cupping and taping to decrease pain and symptoms. Ensuring good posture, positioning and appropriate strengthening can be important for long term outcomes following a whiplash injury. Our physios may prescribe exercises to assist with this also.
A suitable build up and progression to regular activities is dependent on the severity of the whiplash injury sustained. Our physios can help guide you through what is safe for returning to normal activities of daily living, exercise, work and sport.
