Whiplash Injury & Treatment, Auto Accidents,Workers Comp,Oklahoma Clinic

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Pain Management Treatment

Pain Management Oklahoma City Clinic

Whiplash Injury and Treatment

Whiplash most commonly occurs during a motor vehicle accident where the patient has been thrown forwards violently causing acceleration or decelaration of the neck. This causes the ligaments, joints, muscles and nerves to be stretched and compressed which can cause serious damage to these areas if the impact is more than can be reasonably handled by the tissues. It is also seen in sporting arenas, particularly where the head or neck area is involved in a forceful collision – such as rugby or boxing.

In most cases the patient will experience sudden onset pain immediately however, it is also possible for them to experience no pain at the time and the effects to be delayed by some 2-3 days after the impact.

Signs of Whiplash can include:

Sharp or dull pain that increases with movement or sustained posture – such as sitting with a bad posture when at a computer
Stiffness or restricted movement in the neck – inability to turn to the side
Headache
Pain that can radiate to the shoulders or arms
Occasionally a patient will experience numbness or tingling in the one or both of their arms

Physiotherapists will generally diagnose whiplash after thorough assessment however, often it is suggested that an MRI or CT scan be performed to rule out serious injury to the neck.

As with most injury the immediate recommendation for treatment is to use the RICE method and to ensure that the patient does not restrict movement and cause the neck to stiffen any more than it will with the injury. It is worth noting that any treatment for whiplash should only be undertaken after a thorough assessment and clearance of serious injury by a medical doctor.

Refraining from activity that will put further strain on the neck is equally as important – this means that the patient should rest and not sit, stand, lie down in positions that mean their posture is bad, where they are required to have their head looking down for long periods of time, lifting and leaning forward tasks that will place pressure on the injury. Complete rest is the best way to get the neck ready for physiotherapy treatments.

A physiotherapist may include in their treatment of whiplash:

Postural taping
Postural brace
Joint mobility
Soft tissue massage
Exercises to assist and improve mobility, flexibility and posture
Neural stretching
Pilates
Electrotherapy
Advice on how to set yourself up ergonomically
Anti-inflammatory advice
Dry needling
Lumbar roll for support whilst sitting
Advice on physical activity and how to modify it so as not to aggravate the neck

Where physiotherapy is not successful in treating the whiplash, there may be medical intervention which can include the use of cortocosteroid injections or pharmaceutical management – it is not common for whiplash to require these treatmentz

Some will also undergo acupuncture for treatment of whiplash in conjunction with conservative treatments.

Patients should not attempt to return to normal activities until such time as their medical practitioner has given them clearance to do so.

The Brooks Clinic specializes in treating whiplash injuries. We are located in Midtown, downtown, Oklahoma City. Call us today and we’ll give you a free consultation with absolutely no strings attached.

Call Us at 1-405-943-0303