Head & Neck Whiplash

Whiplash can occur with many different accidents, but is often seen in motor vehicle accidents (MVA). The weight of the head and spine is whipped back and forth with the fast movement of an MVA or fall. The muscles in the neck don’t have time to react and the harsh forces can strain or tear muscles, ligaments and other tissues. In severe cases, fractures can occur in the bones of the neck (vertebrae).

Due to the shock and trauma of the accident, pain may or may not be present initially. Whiplash typically feels worse 1–2 days after the injury as inflammation sets in and tissues become swollen. This can lead to headaches, pain with movement and even numbness/tingling into the upper extremities.

People can often have long standing weakness of the neck muscles, leading to future problems, if their whiplash is not fully treated. Strengthening and postural exercises are very important to maintain stability in the neck after a whiplash injury. 

How our physiotherapists can help

 Our therapists have extensive experience dealing with post MVA injuries and can help you recover and relieve your pain. At first, very gentle hands-on therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation may be administered to relieve the pain and gently help swollen tissues recover.

As your pain reduces and your range of motion improves, strengthening and postural exercises will be introduced to help you maximize your recovery and prevent future problems from occurring.  Book an appointment today to discover how we can help you relieve your whiplash pain and put you on a path to recovery!