There are numerous injuries which can result from auto accidents with whiplash being one of the most common, annoying and painful. However, most auto-related injuries can be treated successfully by physiotherapy. At Spectrum Physiotherapy of Newmarket we’ll be able to diagnose your condition following a collision and help you recover and rehabilitate from it as quickly and effectively as possible.
When it comes to whiplash, many accident victims don’t realize they’ve suffered from it since they may not feel any pain until several days later. The injury is typically caused when drivers or passengers are hit from behind. The collision often results in the neck snapping forwards and/or backwards in a violent, unexpected, and unnatural motion. The neck may also be jolted and forced in a rotational direction and the end result is usually ligament and muscle damage to the neck. It’s also a common injury in contact sports.
Whiplash Symptoms
There are several symptoms of whiplash with the most common being a stiff and/or painful neck. Some of the others include lower back, shoulder, arm or hand pain or numbness, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, irritability, memory or concentration problems, tiredness, and sleeplessness. You may also suffer some bruising, especially where your body was in contact with the seatbelt and there could be nerve damage between the arms and vertebrae.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms following a car crash it’s recommended that you visit a doctor. He or she may then recommend physiotherapy for the problem and that’s when Spectrum Physiotherapy Newmarket can help out. We will be able to assess your injuries and let you know when you should begin a rehabilitation program. The symptoms often persist from several weeks to a few months depending on the severity of the injury. However, most patients are able to resume their normal activities after a week or two with minimal or no pain.
Whiplash Treatment
Some of the most common types of physiotherapy treatments for whiplash and soft-tissue damage include ice applications, an alternation between heat and ice, cervical support, gentle active movement, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle-relaxing medications. Other types of treatment could be electrical stimulation, acupuncture, and specific types of physical exercises. Our team of therapists at Spectrum Physiotherapy will provide you with a full diagnosis and then discuss the recommended types of treatment for your condition.
In general, the pain will be alleviated and the range of motion will return to your neck following a specific treatment or combination of physiotherapy techniques. These methods will help restore mobility and strength to the affected areas as soon as possible and you should be able to continue with your normal everyday routine. However, studies have shown that resting the injury for more than a couple of days usually results in more disability and pain. This is because injured muscles often become weak and stiff when they’re not being used and the recovery period may then be extended.
You need to make sure that neck motion isn’t inhibited or prevented since it could add to the pain and stiffness. The idea is to keep the soft-tissues healthy and flexible as this will help to speed up the recovery period. In addition, physical exercise will enable the body to release chemicals which can help to alleviate pain naturally. This is why it’s important to start your therapy sessions as soon as you can when you’ve suffered an automobile injury.
Other Auto-Collision Injuries
Whiplash isn’t the only injury suffered during auto collisions as there are numerous other types that can be treated by physiotherapy. The health professionals at Spectrum Physiotherapy Newmarket can help you recover from various other aches and pains after assessing and pinpointing the problem. Other types of accident-related injuries that can be treated by our team include strains, sprains, and fractures and a personal physiotherapy program can be created to help deal with the problems. Some of the techniques which may be used include ultrasound, heat/ice, postural-alignment training, physical exercise and stretching, massage therapy, lumbar support, acupuncture, shockwave therapy, traction, electrical nerve stimulation, and joint mobilization.
