Current evidence and treatment for whiplash:
Whiplash is an injury that results from a sudden acceleration-deceleration force, most commonly from a motor vehicle accident. The term “whiplash” refers to the mechanism of injury itself, which can lead to a range of clinical symptoms known as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). At The Physio Therapy Centre in Haywards Heath, Hannah Munson specialises in whiplash physiotherapy.
The world of whiplash rehabilitation is still developing, studies have shown that the most effective physiotherapy is not a static, one-size-fits-all approach. It is instead an adaptable, active, and patient-centered program. The modern consensus has shifted away from passive treatments, such as prolonged immobilization and manual therapy (massage and mobilisations) alone, toward active rehabilitation. In short, the current most effective treatment for whiplash is targeted therapeutic exercise, manual therapy where appropriate, understanding where the pain is coming from and learning management techniques. There is also some evidence around the use of ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and taping, but this should be discussed with your physiotherapist as part of your individual rehabilitation.
Breaking down the symptoms:
- Pain: can be experienced in many different ways. For some, this can be mild, only triggered on certain activities, for others pain can be constant and debilitating. Pain may be any combination of: sharp, achy, dull, burning, tingling, “nervy” and numb. You may need a pain relief regime throughout the recovery process or just in the early stages. A thorough physiotherapy assessment will look into the cause of the pain and the most appropriate treatment will be discussed with you, including how to manage when you are at home and involving your GP where needed.
- Stiffness, weakness and muscle tension: is mostly felt in the neck and shoulders but can also extend to the midback and chest. Strengthening and flexibility exercises play a key role, alongside supportive treatments such as soft tissue massage, ultrasound, TENS and taping. If you know you would like a soft tissue massage, please ask for Chris when you book your discovery call or initial assessment. This may also be recommended to you as part of your recovery.
- Psychological effects: due to the nature of onset (often traumatic) and dealing with pain over a long period, many patients experience anxiety, depression and mental fatigue. Whiplash can be a frustrating, often long-term condition and you don’t have to deal with it alone. Having someone listen to your experience, receiving a supportive programme and knowing where your rehab is headed is helpful to manage these symptoms, but if you feel you need further support, our physiotherapists can signpost you to the most appropriate service.
- Associated problems: can arise at any point during recovery, most frequently in the early stages. For example: jaw pain/clicking, headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), postural changes, fatigue and sleep disturbance. Support for these problems will be individual and specific, if you are experiencing any of the above, please bring it up in your initial assessment.
- Vestibular symptoms: are less common, but still experienced by many with whiplash injuries. In its simplest terms, this can be described as dizziness or vertigo, usually when moving your head but can also occur at rest. If you would like vestibular-specific rehab, please ask for Hannah when you book your discovery call or initial assessment.
The most asked question – when will the pain go away?
For mild cases, symptoms such as neck pain and stiffness typically resolve within a few weeks. For more severe cases, symptoms can persist for several months to a year. The statistics highlight the challenge of chronicity, some studies suggest that as many as 86% of patients who are still moderately symptomatic after three months are likely to remain so at two years. It is widely accepted that 50% of patients will experience some symptoms or recurrence of pain beyond 2 years. These might seem like scary statistics, but it is important to understand the timelines and have realistic expectations for how long recovery may take, otherwise you may be left feeling hopeless that nothing will change. It is crucial to know that this does not mean you have to completely stop doing what you love. As mentioned above, current evidence actually favours an active approach, stopping all activity can make your symptoms worse. This is where pain management and activity modification comes into play. For example, you may have to change the way you do things or pace yourself in sport. Physiotherapy can support you to do this, to find that middle ground and stay active whilst recovering from whiplash.
Whatever stage or symptoms of whiplash you are dealing with, physiotherapy and sports therapy is proven to be a highly effective treatment. If you would like to book a face to face appointment, please call our reception or book online. If you would like to discuss your symptoms first, you can book a free 15 minute discovery call with Hannah Munson today. We look forward to supporting you on your recovery journey.
