Have you recently been involved in a serious traffic accident, or had suffered a sudden blow to your head whilst playing rugby, then found yourself having difficulty moving your neck afterwards? You might have had whiplash, an injury caused by any sudden movement of your head forwards, backwards, or sideways.

Due to the sudden or vigorous movement of the head, the tendons and ligaments, those tough fibrous bands connecting the muscles to the bone and linking two bones, become damaged. Sometimes, whiplash could get better on its own, whilst for some the pain could last for at least six months. Whatever the case may be, going to London physiotherapy experts can help you alleviate the neck pain you’re suffering from as an offshoot of whiplash.

Symptoms of Whiplash

For most cases, patients wouldn’t realise that they are suffering from this kind of injury until hours, or even days, after the injury has occurred. When the symptoms begin to develop, it may cause pain or stiffness in the neck and tenderness on the muscles. Moving it may also prove to be painful, and sometimes, can even cause headaches.

These symptoms are bad enough once they begin, but could get even worse after several days. Whilst the pain could go away on its own after a period of time, some might experience long-term or chronic whiplash, with a tingling sensation in the arms and hands adding to the ever-growing list of discomforts. People suffering from whiplash, more particularly from the chronic type, might find themselves also undergoing stress-related illnesses like depression, anxiety, and, for more extreme cases, even memory loss.

Diagnosing and Treating Whiplash

Typically, you won’t be subjected to several tests or scans; the description of your pain can be enough to diagnose whiplash. The doctor will also examine your neck and look out for signs of muscle spasms and tenderness. At times, however, X-rays or MRIs might be necessary if your doctor suspects a fracture or other problems.

For most cases, whiplash can be easily treated by wearing neck braces or collars. These apparatuses should help keep the neck stable, and assist in improving mobility, until it is completely recovered.

It also helps to seek help from a London physio clinic, like CK Physio, especially if the symptoms last for more than a week. Physiotherapy can help restore your neck’s range of movement through a series of physical techniques, and some neck exercises you can easily do at home.

Sources
Whiplash, NHS
Whiplash injuries: Separating the facts from the fiction, Mirror