WAD (whiplash-associated disorders) and whiplash itself are most commonly the results of being involved in a car accident, when a car shunts into your rear, though it can happen in other ways. The pain that comes from it, and the disability it causes can vary from very minor to something severe where movement and posture are hard or impossible to maintain. There are things you can do to help restore the neck to normal or something closer to it, and to rescue the pain and one of them is exercises prescribed by a physio Floreat or where you are. They can help guide you on what movement is appropriate and help improve recovery.
Initial exercises for whiplash recovery
The first thing a physio Subiaco might have you start with is lying in a relaxed position with your head on a pillow where you are most relaxed. Then you will be given certain gentle movements to do on an hourly basis that are within the range you can manage the pain and that won’t aggravate your condition. Having regular time sitting up with the neck holding the weight of the head is also important. Having too much rest time can actually make recovery longer and can lead to disability and long-term issues with pain.
When you have some strength and range of movement
When you have done that for a while the Physio Floreat or where you are will start a programme of encouraging a larger range of movement and start doing normal movements. Some of those exercises will be things like turning the neck as much as you can, tipping the head backwards, moving the chin to the chest to tip the head forwards, tipping the head side to side, and tucking the head in the way you would to show a double chin. Exercises need to be performed regularly and often but slowly and steadily to avoid overdoing it.
Adding to the workout and recovery process
Then your Physio Subiaco will add more exercises as you are ready and add in working on more than just the neck. The shoulders, the shoulder girdle, and any other area of the body affected by the whiplash injury. The progression in the range of movement as well as the force of the exercises needs to be kept gradual. This prevents adding stress to the neck joints and allows them to become more tolerant of different movement forces and different postures. Then the physio can work with you adding in exercises that are appropriate to the kind of job and hobbies you once enjoyed and want to get back to.
Summary
Seeing a physio for whiplash is a great way to ensure you recover fully from your injuries and to prevent long-term pain and restriction to what you can do in your everyday life. Not seeing a physio or not following their guidelines and treatment schedule is not the best decision to make.
