How To Treat And Manage Whiplash

Monitoring Rest And Immobilization Carefully

Getting the right amount of rest to encourage healing with a whiplash injury can be tricky. During the first twenty-four hours or so after the incident, resting can be important. After that, however, staying in bed too long can actually delay healing. The same is true of restricting neck movement. It's good in moderation, but too much can slow down recovery. Immobilizing the neck too much can actually cause muscle atrophy as well as a decrease in blood flow to the area. Even more frightening is the possibility of the muscles healing in a shortened position, which can severely impact their flexibility. This is why it is important to follow your doctor's directions if they have you use a cervical collar. Striking a good balance between pain management and healing requires monitoring rest and immobilization carefully.

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Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be very effective for relieving pain and encouraging healing when it comes to a whiplash injury. There are two main types of physical therapy: active and passive. If you have a sore neck due to whiplash, the physical therapist will likely start you off with passive exercises. In these, you do not have to actively participate. These are effective until a certain amount of healing is done and pain becomes more manageable. Deep tissue massage is a good example of an effective passive therapy for a neck injury. Active therapies will come later, and they are designed to help you strengthen the muscles in your neck. The exercises chosen are specific to your case and where you are in recovery.

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