Whiplash And Physiotherapy - Blog

From Injury to Recovery: How Physiotherapy Treats Whiplash Disorder

Whiplash Disorder

Whiplash associated disorder describes the symptoms that are experienced following a motor vehicle accident. It can be difficult to identify the exact structures affected so, whiplash associated disorders are often diagnosed based on exclusion. The injury itself involves an acceleration-deceleration type mechanism of energy transfer into the cervical spine leading to deformation of natural curvature of the neck and compression of the joints at the back of the neck

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms can encompass muscular, neurological and psychological components.

Some common muscular symptoms include:

neck pain and stiffness
low back pain
jaw pain

Some common neurological symptoms:

Headaches
dizziness
numbness or tingling in the hands

Psychological symptoms include:

anxiety
depression
fear avoidance behaviors

Preventing the Escalation of Symptoms

Early intervention can prevent the development of WAD from progressing into a chronic condition. Due to the psychological effects that the injury can have, many people will limit their movement leading to further stiffness and progression of symptoms. Education on the importance of movement and regular visits to a physiotherapist can help with alleviation of symptoms.

Treatment and management

Key aspects of treatment and management for whiplash associated disorder includes education and the importance of staying active, targeted exercise for muscles with deficits, analgesics, IMS/dry needling, spinal manipulations

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