Car accidents can lead to painful injuries in different parts of the body, including the neck, spine and soft tissues. A common cause of injuries in most car accidents is whiplash. This article highlights whiplash injuries, including the symptoms and benefits of physiotherapy in managing whiplash injuries.
What is whiplash?
During a car accident, the head and neck are snapped forward and backward in a quick sudden movement. This sudden movement leads to the tearing and stretching of soft tissues and tendons in the neck, back, and other body parts, otherwise known as whiplash injuries.
Signs of whiplash injuries
Whiplash may at first present as mild neck pain following an accident. More severe pain and other symptoms may follow in the next hours, including:
- Shoulder and arm pain
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Visual disturbances
Health complications associated with whiplash
Sometimes, whiplash injuries may worsen and progress into the following complications:
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Concussion, which may include unexplained confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, or migraines
- A herniated disc presents with leg pain, lower back pain, muscle weakness, and numbness or tingling in the affected body parts.
Treating whiplash with physiotherapy
If you have been involved in an accident and suspect whiplash injuries, you should have your symptoms checked and treated by a professional. A professional physiotherapist will help you regain strength in your neck and spine following whiplash injuries. Physiotherapy also reduces inflammation in the affected areas. A physiotherapist will determine the best therapy for you to ensure optimal healing and accident rehabilitation in Ottawa following whiplash injuries.
One or a combination of the following methods will be used depending on the nature of your whiplash injuries:
- Passive physiotherapy
- Active physiotherapy
Passive Physiotherapy
This therapy approach does not require the direct involvement of the patient and includes the following:
- Passive exercises
- Ice or heat massage therapy
- Deep tissue massages that help to break down muscle tension
- Ultrasound to help relieve pain and reduce muscle spasms
Active Physiotherapy
Active physiotherapy involves the active participation of the patient and includes exercises designed to:
- Optimize healing of the neck and back tissue
- Encourage blood circulation
- Reduce muscle spasms
These exercises include:
- Stretching
- Gentle shoulder and neck exercises
- Corrective posture exercises
If you have suffered whiplash injuries, reach out to a professional to discuss the best therapy method for your injuries. Accident rehabilitation experts at Apollo Physiotherapy will administer therapy tailored to your needs to ensure optimal healing of your injuries and rehabilitation. We help people with various complications, including musculoskeletal problems, pain, stiffness, and post-surgery recovery.
