Whiplash Physical Therapy in Huntington
Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs following a sudden acceleration/deceleration force that causes strain on the head and neck. The most common cause of whiplash is motor vehicle accidents and is usually the result of a rear impact collision. During a rear impact collision, the seatbelt keeps the driver’s or passenger’s body stationary but the head moves forward, causing the neck to hyperextend. Some symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Back pain
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Arm stiffness
Our team can provide physical therapy in Huntington that will ease your pain and help you follow the necessary steps to a speedy recovery.
How is whiplash diagnosed?
If the patient is experiencing any of the symptoms listed above after an accident, a CT scan or MRI may be requested for precautionary reasons. After all measures have been taken to confirm that there is no further damage, the next step would be to see a physical therapist for treatment. Certain exercises may be required in order to understand where you are experiencing pain or discomfort and what movements end up causing these feelings. This can help in understanding the best course of treatment.
Treatment for whiplash
Treatment of whiplash varies depending on the severity of the injury. The main goals of physical therapy for whiplash is to control your pain, bring you back to your normal range of motion, and to make a full recovery so you can partake in your regular activities. Our physical therapists can provide you with a variety of great exercises to help treat your whiplash. Some of these exercises may be as simple as neck rotations, as well as techniques that require you to slowly bend your neck in different directions. These exercises help stretch and strengthen the neck muscles. In addition to these exercises, our team can provide hands-on therapy that will help ease any discomfort you may be feeling. Patients that participate in physical therapy and practice early range of motion exercises have been reported to show more consistent and rapid progress in their recovery.
Our dedicated team at Island Sports Physical Therapy has treated patients who suffer from whiplash for many years. If you have been in an accident recently or suspect you may be suffering from whiplash, contact us at Island Sports Physical Therapy in Huntington to make an appointment.