Whiplash is a very common term that we are all familiar with. Lets start this blog post off with a definition for what exactly whiplash is.

Whiplash is defined as “an acceleration-deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck. It may result from rear end or side impact motor vehicle collision but can also occur during diving or other mishaps. The impact may result in bony or soft tissue injuries (whiplash injury), which in turn may lead to a variety of clinical manifestations called whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).”

So, whiplash is actually the mechanism of injury and not a diagnosis. You do not get whiplash, it is the way you injure your neck and it leads to you having whiplash associated disorders (WAD).

WAD can be classified into different grades based on musculoskeletal, neurological and x-ray findings (WAD I, II, III, IV). Grade IV is diagnosed when there is a fracture or dislocation of your spine and treatment is therefore very different to what I am describing below. Usually symptoms arise 12-24 hours after the accident and the current research states that early intervention is critical and should begin within 4 days after your injury.

Treatment should focus on

1. Restoring range of motion in the neck. Often people are left with limited movement in one or many directions.

2. Strengthening the muscles in the neck. These are often stretched during the injury and become weak.

3. Advise and education to gradually return to your normal daily activities.

Rest vs exercise. New research has shown us that neck movement and exercises is crucial in the early stages on whiplash treatment. Previously, a patient may be given a soft collar and advised to bed rest. This is definitely not recommended anymore and actually shown to have detrimental affects. It can be daunting to move you neck again, especially with a lot of pain. A physiotherapist can provide you with safe exercises that are required as your neck heals.

Whiplash and persistent pain. Unfortunately, people with WAD are at a higher risk of developing long standing pain. Research shows that the extent of damage during the whiplash injury does not make you more likely to develop persistent pain and those with a lower grade (mild) WAD are at the same risk as a person with a more serious WAD. Prevention of persistent pain through education and early intervention is important.

A tip to prevent or limit the damage associated with whiplash is to ensure a properly fitted headrest. The amount of cervical flexion (looking down movement) is limited as your chin hits your chest but to limit cervical extension (head going backwards) we need a headrest positioned at the correct height.

Thanks for reading, Nichola O’Ceallaigh, Physiotherapist