Whiplash
Canberra
Neck Pain
Should Never Be Ignored
Every year, thousands of Australians experience whiplash-associated disorders as a result of car accidents. Resulting in severe neck pain that can make even the most basic of daily tasks unbearable, many people have always considered this an injury that will go away on its own – you just have to grin and bear it.
Over the years, it has become more widely understood that early intervention through physiotherapy can be highly beneficial in whiplash treatment Canberra, allowing patients to enjoy full range of motion once again.
What is
Whiplash?
Whiplash is essentially a sprain of the joints in the neck and occurs when the head is suddenly jolted backward and forward in a whip-like movement (hence the name). It’s a common injury sustained after being rear-ended in a car accident and can also result from a fall, a forceful sporting injury, amusement park rides, bungee jumping or skydiving, or physical assaults.
Such a movement generates considerable force, causing the neck to move beyond the normal range of movement and resulting in damage to its delicate supporting structures.
Whiplash Symptoms
Although the symptoms of whiplash will vary from person to person, there are some more frequently noticed symptoms:
- Neck pain and/or stiffness
- Head feels too heavy for the neck
- Reduced neck movement
- Pain between the shoulder blades
- Pain that radiates into the shoulders and arms
- Tingling in the arms and fingers
- Dizziness, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty swallowing
- Irritability and difficulty concentrating
- Nausea
- Ringing in the ears
- Vertigo
- Pain in the jaw and face
Whiplash Treatments
If you’ve sustained whiplash, the good news is that physiotherapy management is extremely effective. The focus will be on reducing your pain and inflammation and stabilising your neck to prevent further damage from occurring.
Your physiotherapist will take a thorough history, as well as perform an orthopaedic, neurological, and spinal examination to determine the exact location of your neck pain. They may also send you for an x-ray, CT, MRI, or posture pro scan to assess for any further damage.
Your Whiplash
Questions Answered
There are no referrals needed to book an appointment with Powerhouse Canberra! While we do welcome GP referrals, we also treat patients who visit us using their private health insurance or who are happy to pay out of pocket – simply book online and you’re good to go.
How Powerhouse Canberra Can Help
When you see a Powerhouse Canberra physiotherapist for whiplash, they will tailor a treatment schedule to suit your specific circumstances.
Initial Treatment
Depending on the severity of your injury and how it was sustained, you may be recommended to wear a cervical collar for the first few days to help control the inflammation. This should be weaned off after four to six days, however. Pain relief modalities and anti-inflammatory medications may also be recommended.
Secondary Treatment
Your physiotherapist will encourage gentle movement in your neck through manual therapy (particularly mobilisation) and manipulation to return its range of motion. The best results are generally achieved with a combination of active range of motion exercises (including gentle mobilisation, massage therapy, and gentle stretching).
Moving Forward
As your condition improves, the focus will turn to deeper massage and mobilisation to more specific areas of your neck. Once the pain has begun to settle and movement has returned to normal, your physiotherapist will prescribe some strengthening exercises to help improve your neck’s stability (as the injury will have weakened it).
Why Choose Powerhouse Canberra?
Bringing World Class Locally
We pride ourselves on bringing world-class treatments and thinking to the local Canberra area. Our team is committed to assisting with injury prevention, exercise and orthopaedic rehabilitation, sports and remedial massage, and injury management.
Community Feel
The idea of mateship is something we feel strongly about here at Powerhouse Canberra, both within our team and with our clients. We are committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment at all times – there’s no blame, shame, or justification here.
Highly Qualified Physiotherapists
Our team is comprised of highly qualified physiotherapists who have undergone extensive training and who love to upskill. They also come from elite sports-based backgrounds, so you can rest assured that your recovery and rehabilitation are in good hands.