Whiplash is the extreme stress put on the vertebrae in the neck when the head and neck are suddenly jerked backward and then forward. This motion causes the neck to deviate from its typical C-shaped curve and to contort into an S-shaped curve.

With approximately 235 million cars on the road in the United States, incidents of rear-end collisions and subsequent whiplash occur frequently. Whiplash is one of the most common causes of neck pain, and seeking neck pain treatment through physical therapy may help you recover faster.

Recovering from whiplash with neck pain treatment

Soft tissue damage and sprained ligaments are the most common outcomes of whiplash, and severity is usually related to the speed of the collision. Symptoms can include headache, reduced range of motion, tingling and numbness, and in severe cases, neck instability. Balance or coordination problems are also symptoms of a serious case of whiplash.

Incidents of whiplash have been reported in collisions where vehicles were traveling as slow as 10 miles per hour. Whiplash can also occur during bungee jumping, falling from skis or other head trauma.

There are three primary goals when treating neck pain:

• Increase range of motion
• Reduce pain or stiffness
• Strengthen the muscles to stabilize the neck

Stretches and exercises are personalized for each patient because of the sensitive nature of the neck area. Heat, as well as ice, is used to relieve tension and reduce swelling. Other non-exercise therapies such as massage can be helpful to a patient’s neck pain treatment.

Neck pain treatment at Franklin Rehabilitation

There are some cases where neck pain treatment would not be recommended. Significant spinal instability or an underlying medical issue would be instances where physical therapy may not be advisable. The physical therapists at Franklin Rehabilitation can provide an evidence-based assessment to determine the specific problem and indicate appropriate treatment options for our patients. Contact our team today to set up your initial appointment.