Acute Whiplash
can be a particularly distressing condition as a patient experiences a sudden hyper-flexion and/or hyper-extension strain which can take the neck vertebrae and their attaching ligaments beyond their normal range of movement. Micro tears can occur at the ligament insertion point on the vertebra and local muscles can spasm in response to the velocity changes.
Special care is taken when examining and treating whiplash cases. Healing times for an acute whiplash may be longer than for a mechanical neck pain problem, due to the ligament damage.
We often treat acute whiplash with spinal adjustments/manipulation, soft tissue therapy (massage, manual or mechanical), dry needling (a form of acupuncture – see our ‘News’ page for more on Dry Needling) and rehabilitation. Sometimes using a cervical collar is required for the stabilization of the neck during the treatment and healing process.
