Whiplash

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are an umbrella term for symptoms that usually occur as a result of the neck being suddenly forced backwards and then forwards, such as in a road traffic accident or sport. The mechanism produced by such a mechanism can cause stretching to the surrounding musculature leading to increased muscle tone, pain and other symptoms such as headaches etc.

People who experience Whiplash commonly report:

• Limited range of movement

• Pain around the neck, shoulders and in some occasions down to the arm

• Muscular weakness

• Headaches

• Disturbance or loss of balance

• Dizziness

Following a discussion around the mechanism or injury, a physical assessment usually identifies:

• Pain

• Reduced range of movement

• Increased tone of the neck and shoulder musculature

Although Whiplash can be incredibly uncomfortable, further imaging is not often indicated unless there is suspicion of a fracture

Physiotherapy has been shown to help Whiplash in a number of ways:

• Advice and education

• Mobilisation and manipulation

• Activity modification

• Soft tissue massage

• Pain management

• Acupuncture

• Home exercise programme focussing on stretching and strengthening

• Graded return to sport (if applicable)