“Not a serious accident” you think, but your body has been whipped back and forth in an unexpected, jarring motion and suddenly, sometimes unknowingly, you have become a victim of ‘Whiplash.’ Make no mistake, no accident or seemingly unimportant ‘bumper bashing’ is small enough to assume that you don’t have whiplash. Also, don’t be fooled into thinking Its ‘ONLY whiplash’ as so many doctors may call it. Whiplash is serious and should be respected even though the dysfunction and symptoms are often delayed.
So how do I know if I have whiplash?
The commonest symptom of whiplash is neck pain or stiffness, occurring anything from immediately to several days, weeks or months after the accident. People are different though and may experience symptoms at different times – Apart from the neck pain, you may experience:
- Pain in your shoulders, arms or upper back
- Headaches, dizziness or impaired vision
- Difficulties with hearing, concentration, speaking or swallowing
- General weakness
What is the right course of action following an accident?
We strongly suggest that you directly contact a qualified, registered Physiotherapist to discuss any potential whiplash injury after an accident, as they are the medical professionals who have specialise in whiplash associated disorders. Having a physiotherapy assessment and (if necessary) treatment within a day or two following an accident can minimise the chances of delayed and long-term dysfunction and symptoms. It’s quick and more cost effective than having frequent sessions to deal with chronic dysfunction months or years later.
Are there any more serious symptoms I need to look out for?
Your Physiotherapist is trained to detect abnormal findings/presentations which may need further investigation. You can help your health professional and yourself in this regard by bringing any of the following symptoms to his/her attention immediately:
- Fainting or falling for no apparent reason
- Abnormally located pins and needles, particularly in the face
- Altered or painful walking
- Weakness or sensation problems, particularly if they are getting worse
- Bladder or bowel problems
These are usually signs of more urgent or sinister injuries which need to be ruled out before undergoing treatment. In such instances, the individualised assessment from your physiotherapist will establish which health care professional is best suited to assist in your recovery program.
Can I recover totally from Whiplash injuries?
Yes, you can, but it can take anything from as little as a few days, to several months, for whiplash injuries to totally rehabilitate. Once again, just as the injuries vary from person to person, so does the recovery time, but taking immediate action by direct consultation with your Physiotherapist will go a long way to shortening your specific recovery time. We sincerely hope it doesn’t happen to you, but if you are the victim of a seemingly insignificant ‘bumper bashing’ please don’t hesitate to contact us right away.