Just a quick note on headaches! If you complain of headaches and experience the following – cannot swallow properly/unable to speak properly/dizziness/have double vision/have fainted/cannot coordinate movements/cannot control eye movement/feel nauseas/ have face numbness – then seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY!

This article is to assist once you have seen a medical professional NOT instead of.

Sudden and uncontrolled forward, sideways or backward neck movement results in a spraining of the neck muscles and an onset of reduced movement. Trauma to the neck area in such situations is known as whiplash. Symptoms can include reduced range, muscle spasm, arm and shoulder pain and headaches (see above for our note on headaches).

Having visited a medical professional you now have a number of weeks of rehabilitation ahead of you. Your head feels heavy and sleeping at night is more than likely difficult. So, what can you do at home to help?

Firstly let’s talk ice!  it’s a natural pain killer and the pain you will be feeling will be a result of inflammation in the tissues. Ice can help reduce the inflammation and as a result reduce the pain. A general rule of thumb is 2-5 minutes of application being sure to protect the skin. Follow this for a few days and apply throughout the day.  This is a natural remedy for pain but if you choose to take paracetamol or an alternative check with your GP first.

Keep the head mobile but not supported. No neck brace or collar unless advised by your GP or medical professional to wear one. Most importantly- if you love to text or read then please find a new way of reading/texting as a head down position will only aggravate things an put more stress on already strained tissues.

Keeping the neck mobile may hurt at first but in time it will improve and will also speed up recovery. Pain in a natural part of the symptoms but monitor it and you will see a reduction in time. As movement is key laying down for long periods or maintaining the same head position may needs to be avoided. If you sit at a computer be sure to adjust your set up accordingly.

After a few days switch to heat to dab on the areas as it can help to free up the tissues more and may help soothe symptoms as an alternative to icing.

Sleep can be affected by the symptoms. Using a firm pillow may well help but this will be a process of elimination.

Physiotherapy or osteopathy can help with neck exercises, massage and gentle mobilisation of the affected areas. The NHS has a handout available here NHS WHIPLASH We recommend you seek out professional advice for exercise prescription too as every case is different but the NHS handout give you a good initial grounding. As with any exercise prescription there will be progressions and so stay under the guidance of health professional who can provide these at the right time throughout rehabilitation. Walk don’t run with this injury- your neck is very important and delicate.

In the long-term it can take a while for things to heal. Following the above pointers and seeking medical advice regularly AND following it will help the speed of the processes of healing.  As always we are available if you have any questions. Email info@theflyingphysios.com.

Jason and the team