Whiplash is defined as neck pain, usually as the result of a car crash, in which your head is suddenly jolted backwards and forwards in a whip-like movement. In whiplash, sprains and strains occur in soft tissue, such as discs, muscles, and ligaments.
At BodyWise Physiotherapy in Claremont we see many patients with stiffness or soreness in the upper back, headache, and pain in the neck following a car crash.
It wasn’t long ago that most people who had suffered whiplash were advised to rest and wear a soft collar to support and protect the neck and keep it immobile. Physiotherapists now know that recovery will occur earlier and more completely if people keep moving and continue to exercise sensibly. You may find the following helpful:
- Use a pillow to support your neck whilst sitting or lying in bed
- Avoid sleeping on your front or in front of TV
- Applying an ice pack over the sore area for 5-10 minutes for the first couple of days can provide pain relief and relax muscle spasm.
- As healing gets under way, our physiotherapists can assist with recovery from whiplash with manual therapy, appropriate exercises, and postural advice.
