Post-traumatic Neck Pain and Physiotherapy

Post-traumatic Neck Pain is a soft tissue injury caused by rapid acceleration-deceleration forces on the neck, typically affecting muscles, Ligaments and joints of the Cervical Spine. It occurs due to rapid jolting of the neck forwards and backwards or sideways. This is also known as “Whiplash Associated Disorder” and describes the symptoms following such an injury.

COMMON CAUSES

Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVAs)- Rear-ended Collison’s are most frequent.
Sport Injuries- Contact sports such as Rugby or Boxing can lead to similar neck Trauma
Falls- A sudden jerk or impact to the neck due to a fall can lead to these injuries.
Assault- Sudden and forceful shaking of the head or direct Blow.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may occur immediately or develop hours/Days after the incident. Common Complaints Include-:

• Neck pain and Stiffness- Often worsen with Movement.
• Headaches- Usually originating from the base of the skull, travelling sideways and surrounding the socket of the eyes.
• Tingling Numbness in arm- Usually common due to nerve irritation
• Cognitive- Difficulty in concentrating & fatigue.

DIAGNOSIS: DO YOU NEED IMAGING?

Most cases of Whiplash are diagnosed clinically and do not require imaging. They can be diagnosed based on Clinical History and Physical Examination; however, in some cases, imaging may be necessary if -:

1 Suspected Cervical Fracture
2 Major Neurological affection- Weakness Altered Reflexes
3 Severe Pain even after trying all the conservative treatment Options.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

1 HOME REMEDIES

Heat and Cold around the neck for 6-8 mins to ease the pain
Over the counter Painkillers/Medications for Pain relief
Try to maintain good posture and stay Active.
Avoid any sudden jerks or change certain activities like carrying heavy bags.

2 PHYSIOTHERAPY

The physiotherapist will help you regain your range of motion and reduce the pain by using spinal-graded Mobilisations, Gentle exercises and advice.
We rule out any sinister pathologies during our examination process and decide whether physiotherapy is the correct course of action for treatment.
We ensure you adopt good posture and follow the correct exercises to recover quickly.
We will also teach you how to be mobile without aggravating your symptoms.

3 DOCTOR/ SPECIALISTS

When the above conservative treatment does not help, or the patient is having complications such as PTSD, Depression or ongoing pain which does not settle down, an appropriate referral is necessary.

FAQs 

Do I need to be in the car accident to get a Whiplash??
While the most common cause of Whiplash is rear-ended car Collision, other causes, such as Falls or impact sports, can lead to similar injuries.

Should I Wear a Cervical Collar after Whiplash?
No! You should not wear a cervical Collar unless advised/Prescribed by a healthcare professional. Movement is the key in Whiplash.

Do I need to get an X-ray for Whiplash?
No! Whiplash is a soft tissue injury. The X-ray would be helpful only to rule out fractures, not soft tissue injuries.

CONCLUSION

Whiplash is more than just a simple neck Sprain. While most cases are resolved with conservative management, a few cases may develop complications and require appropriate referrals/ Treatment. Early movement education and physiotherapy are the keys to success in such cases.