WHIPLASH SYNDROME

Whiplash syndrome covers a large range of injuries that may occur with rapid movement of the head and neck such as in motor vehicle accidents.

It has been shown that a variety of different tissues may be injured by a whiplash injury. Damage may occur to:-

blood vessels the muscles of the neck the discs of the spine the facet joints and supporting ligaments the bone, with fractures possible

Most of these injuries will not show up on (plain) x-ray. The force of the crash and the previous condition of the neck are factors in the amount of injury and pain experienced.

A whiplash injury may cause pain in the neck, back, arms and/or headaches. The pain may not start straight after the accident. Restricted neck movement will frequently be a feature. Recovery time from a whiplash injury is extremely variable, ranging from days to years.

With a range of injuries comprising whiplash syndrome, a variety of modes of treatment may be required to decrease the pain and restore normal mobility and function including:-

heat and/or electrotherapy treatment cervical joint mobilisation massage correct exercise and posture advice medication for pain relief and to reduce inflammation hydrotherapy

A lack of appropriate treatment is likely to lead to a longer period of pain and interruption of normal life.

If your accident involved a motor vehicle and you were not at fault, you may be eligible to have the majority of your treatment costs covered by Motor Vehicle Insurance Trust. This requires a referral from a doctor.

Don't wait to get better: Early diagnosis from your Doctor and Physiotherapist will assist you in finding out what your injury involves and thus the most appropriate treatment.