Whiplash, or Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is a common injury treated by healthcare professionals. We commonly see these injuries in a clinical setting after a car accident, falls, or sports injuries, but many people are unaware of what causes whiplash or how to effectively treat it. In this blog will answer the common questions surrounding whiplash and suggest effective exercises that you can start at home.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash refers to an injury of the neck from a rapid acceleration and deceleration movement. This generally happens when the neck and head move forwards and backwards quickly and unexpectedly with a high amount of force. This forceful and rapid motion can strain or damage the soft tissues in the neck, primarily the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Although in rare cases nerve damage, fractures, and dislocations can occur.
When treating whiplash, your healthcare practitioner will typically assign a grade to the injury related to the severity of symptoms. Here are the four different grades of whiplash:
Grade 1: Complaint of neck pain, stiffness, and tenderness only. No physical signs are present.
Grade 2: Complaint of neck pain and stiffness, along with musculoskeletal signs. Musculoskeletal signs include a noticeable decrease in neck range of motion and point tenderness.
Grade 3: Complaint of neck pain and stiffness, along with neurological signs. Neurological signs include sensory deficits, weakness, and a loss or decrease in reflexes.
Grade 4: Complaint of neck pain and stiffness, along with a fracture or dislocation.
Most whiplash injuries are a result of a soft tissue injury and are classified as a Grade I or II. These types of whiplash injuries can be successfully treated by rest, education, and physiotherapy.
Grade III and IV whiplash injuries are possible, but much more rare and require different intervention. If you are experiencing changes in neurological signs or suspect you may have a fracture due to a whiplash injury please speak with your GP or visit an emergency department right away.
Causes of Whiplash:
The primary cause of whiplash is any sudden, forceful movement that hyperextends and hyperflexes the neck. Common scenarios include:
Car Accidents: Rear-end collisions are a notorious trigger for whiplash. The abrupt deceleration of the vehicle can jolt the neck forward and backward.
Sports Injuries: Contact sports, especially those with a high risk of collisions or tackles, can lead to whiplash. It's crucial for athletes to use protective gear and proper technique.
Falls: A sudden slip or fall can result in whiplash, especially if the head and neck snap backward upon impact.
Amusement Park Rides: The rapid and unpredictable movements on certain amusement park rides can subject riders to forces that may cause whiplash.
Cycling Accidents: Falling off a bike, performing a quick sudden stop at high speed, or a collision with a vehicle can cause whiplash.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
The duration of whiplash can vary significantly from person to person, depending on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the individual's overall health, and the effectiveness of treatment. In general, whiplash symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks or even months. Here's a rough timeline of how whiplash symptoms may progress:
Acute Phase (0-72 hours): In the immediate aftermath of the injury, you may experience pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck and surrounding areas. Symptoms are typically at their worst during this phase.
Subacute Phase (3 days to 3 months): Most people start to see improvement in their symptoms within the first few weeks, but it's not uncommon for some symptoms, like stiffness and occasional pain, to persist for several months.
Chronic Phase (3 months and beyond): If whiplash symptoms continue beyond three months, they are considered chronic. Chronic whiplash can be more challenging to treat, but with the right interventions, many individuals still experience improvement over time.
It's essential to note that seeking early and appropriate treatment can significantly influence the duration and severity of whiplash symptoms. Physiotherapy, massage, and even acupuncture are valuable treatment options that can help speed up recovery and reduce the risk of chronic symptoms.
It's also important to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations, adhere to your prescribed treatment plan, and actively participate in any exercises or therapies recommended for your recovery. If your whiplash symptoms persist or worsen, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and adjustments to your treatment plan. Each person's experience with whiplash is unique, so the duration of symptoms can vary widely.
Treatment for Whiplash
Common treatments for whiplash aim to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, improve neck mobility, and promote overall recovery. The specific treatment plan may vary depending on the severity of the injury and individual needs.
It is important to keep your body moving and generally active after a whiplash injury. Doing gentle exercise and returning to work as soon as you feel able typically helps recovery. You do not need to wait until you are 100% better to return to a somewhat normal routine.
Going for a gentle walk or completing your household chores is an easy way to incorporate movement at the start of your recovery.
It is important to start gentle range of motion exercises as early as possible. This will help decrease joint stiffness. This may be uncomfortable at first, but will improve with time and practice. It is helpful to push into a bit of pain to start as this will improve your range of motion and get you back to your normal self.
Pain should not be avoided in the early stages as long as it is mild. You won’t cause more or prolonged damage by doing gentle exercises during the early phases of recovery. Pain in this case, is a reminder that you’ve had an injury that you need to be gentle.
Here is a list of common treatments to aid in whiplash recovery:
Rest: Initially, resting the neck and applying ice or heat can help alleviate pain. This is recommended for the first 72 hours when pain is typically at its worst.
Physical Therapy: This is a cornerstone of whiplash treatment. Physiotherapists can create a customized exercise program to improve neck strength and flexibility.
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques like massage and joint mobilization can help alleviate muscle tension and improve mobility.
Heat Therapy: Heat can promote blood flow and relax tense muscles, easing discomfort.
Pain Medication: In some cases, over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers may be recommended to manage pain and inflammation.
Education: Patients are educated on proper posture, ergonomics, and exercises to prevent future injuries.
Exercises for Whiplash
These exercises are meant for the early stage of whiplash and are simple but effective. They are meant to improve your range of motion and build foundational muscle strength so you can progress to harder exercises with your physiotherapist. You can complete these exercises 2-3 x day for the first 10 days to 2 weeks after injury.
It is important to note that once these exercises become too easy, it is important to have exercise progressions. Exercise progressions help build muscle strength to its original baseline level prior to injury and will prevent re-injury once you return to your normal routine.
Neck Range of Motion
You want to complete all 6 ranges of motion to the best of your ability. Slight pain and discomfort is okay. On a pain scale you don’t want to go above a 4/10.
You may find extension and rotation particularly difficult - go slow and be gentle.
Complete 2 sets x 10 repetitions of each range of motion, taking breaks as necessary.
Isometric Neck Strengthening
Complete all ranges of motion on each side only pushing as hard as you can tolerate
Complete 3-5 reps x 5- 10 second holds in each position
Make sure your neck stays in a neutral position when applying pressure
In summary, whiplash is a neck injury resulting from rapid and forceful movement, often caused by car accidents, sports injuries, falls, or other abrupt incidents. While it can be painful and uncomfortable, there are effective treatments available, with rehabilitation playing a crucial role in the recovery process.
If you or someone you know has experienced whiplash, we strongly recommend consulting a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and personalized treatment plan, you can do this through our website www.portalbneriphysiotherapy.com or by calling 250-723-5112.