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Frozen Shoulder
(Adhesive Capsulitis)
Whiplash
Signs and symptoms
People who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first two days after the accident:
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Neck pain and stiffness |
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Headaches |
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Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades |
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Low back pain |
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Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand |
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Dizziness |
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Ringing in the ears or blurred vision |
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Difficulty concentrating or remembering |
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Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue |
Diagnosis and Treatment
How whiplash injuries occur is clearly understood, but the extent and type of injuries varies greatly. It is a description of the mechanism of the injury rather than a diagnosis. The use of “acceleration/deceleration injury” is probably more pertinent. The diagnosis of whiplash is often one of exclusion. Most injuries are to soft tissues such as the disks, muscles and ligaments, and cannot be seen on standard X-rays. In the past, whiplash injuries were often treated with immobilization in a cervical collar. However, the current trend is to encourage early movement, rather than immobilization.
Physiotherapy will utilise techniques to ease pain (such as massage or acupuncture), and restore movement, such as spinal mobilizations. Depending on the degree of injury and tissues damaged, rehabilitation and postural advice may be given
As soon as possible, you should begin aerobic activities, such as walking. Symptoms resolve within several months for about 75 percent of people who have whiplash. Chronic conditions should be investigated further and might require surgery.