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Whiplash "One in 200 of us will suffer a whiplash type injury at some time in our lives. They are not normally serious and most people who suffer from a whiplash injury go on to make a full recovery." A whiplash injury is a soft tissue injury caused by a sudden jerking movement. This can be from a car accident e.g. a rear end shunt. or may result from a sports injury.

Typically the neck is caused to jerk backwards then suddenly forwards as in a rear end collision but it may be the other way around if you are unlucky enough to run into the back of another vehicle.

The pain following an injury may come on instantly in which case you should attend your GP or a Casualty unit for an assessment. More often than not the initial pain is not too severe and developes over the first 36 hours. This is usually a good sign that there is no serious damage to the neck and that the symptoms are simply following the normal soft tissue inflammatory cycle.

If you have had a high impact collision, have been unconscious, complain of headaches, dizziness or confussion you should attend a casualty unit as soon as possible.

Joints prefer to be moved gently rather that immobilised following this type of injury. It is better to control the pain with an over the counter painkiller or anti-inflammatory medication to allow you to get on with life as near to normal as you can. See your Doctor if you need something a little stronger.

A hot or cold pack can be useful to reduce pain and spasm and allow more movement in your neck and shoulder girdle muscles.

If your symptoms are not lessening after 5 days of self help measures, consider having an assessment by a Chartered Physiotherapist. We are experts in helping you manage this type of problem and will be able to direct you with self help techniques and advice on an appropriate exercise regime.

If necessary we can also give you a few sessions of hands on treatment such as electrotherapy, massage, mobilisation and manipulation to speed up your recovery.

Try to remember that your pain does not mean you have a serious problem. You can control your pain with over the counter medication, which in turn will let you re-establish normal movement in the neck speeding up your recovery. Try to get back to work as soon as possible. A couple of weeks off work should be plenty unless you are advised otherwise by your Doctor or Physiotherapist.

Please remember be positive and stay active.

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