The time it takes to recover from a whiplash injury depends on a number of factors from the seriousness of the injury, the patient's overall health and how well the patient cares for themselves during the healing time. The average recovery time is six months, though some people fully heal within a few weeks and others take years. In general however, there are three stages to the recovery of whiplash. The in ...

Whiplash injury is well known for the problems it causes in patients necks, but did you know it can go as far as to cause pain in the lower back? Most commonly, patients complain of stiffness in the neck and upper body, headaches, pins and needles and heavy arms. But when someone is in a car collision and their body and head are jolted, this can have a serious effect on the lower back. The sacroiliac joint ...

In the initial 24 hours after an accident it is advised that you use an ice pack, or bag of peas wrapped in a towel on the back of your neck to reduce inflammation caused by whiplash. You can lay down and rest, using a pillow to support your head using the ice pack/peas for 20 minutes at a time for the first day or two. Do not prolong your bed rest, however tempting it may be. The longer your neck is inacti ...

Diagnosing whiplash is a tricky one because it cannot be seen on an x-ray, CT scan or MRI scan. There is no visual proof of symptoms, only what the patient claims to be feeling. Whiplash occurs when the body is thrown in a sudden, powerful movement (typically during a car crash involving abrupt deceleration) causing the soft tissue in the spine and neck to stretch and strain. The most common complaints are ...

Whiplash injury has long since been scrutinised; accused of being a fabricated injury because of the lack of evidence and the difficulty to prove such symptoms exist. The Quebec Task Force (QTF) was set up to investigate whiplash injuries and defined ‘whiplash’ as the mechanism of injury rather than the actual injury itself. “An acceleration/deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck. The impact ...

What is whiplash? Whiplash is an injury received when the soft tissue in the neck and spine is over stretched and strained after the body or head is thrown in a sudden, powerful jerk. It is most commonly diagnosed in patients who have been in a car accident, usually during a rear-end collision, but it can occur in sports injuries, after a fall or during an assault. The most common complaints are stiffness i ...

Whiplash Associated Disorder is a common consequence of sudden acceleration and deceleration movements of the neck. Car accidents, especially the celebrated rear shunt, are the commonest cause. Usually minor, they can be a source of significant pain and suffering. Permanent damage is uncommon and your long-term outlook is good. Whiplash injuries are not usually serious and do not involve damage to the bones ...

Whiplash is an uncomfortable and frustrating injury to sustain, but whereas patients used to be told to wear a supportive collar and rest for several weeks, current research recommends returning to a normal routine as soon as possible. Initially, it is beneficial to apply an ice pack, take painkillers and rest your neck for the first couple of days. But taking advice from your GP and physiotherapist and doi ...

Car accidents can be a traumatic experience and can cause all kinds of damage to a person, ranging from physical distress such as aches and pains, stiffness and headaches to emotional problems including depression, anxiety, social phobia and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Whiplash victims can often suffer from PTSD, a disturbing condition that happens after experiencing a distressing event.  It can ...

Fortunately, as humans we are fairly resilient and adaptable so that when it comes to the aftermath of trauma, particularly mild trauma, we can often bounce back after a period of adjustment with no long standing problems. However, for a few individuals, some form of rehabilitation support is needed to help put them back on track following an accident.  Rehabilitation support can take many forms such as the ...