Here at Metro Physio we are fully trained and qualified Musculoskeletal physio experts who can spot a whiplash injury and give you fantastic advice and treatment to help you get through this problem. Watch this helpful presentation to know the causes and symptoms of Whiplash.

2. What are the Causes and Symptoms of Whiplash?
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3. Ques.:- Do you know how Metro Physio can help?
Here at Metro Physio we are fully trained and qualified Musculoskeletal
physio experts who can spot a whiplash injury and give you fantastic advice
and treatment to help you get through this problem. Whiplash is an injury
which can be the result of a sudden jolt of the neck back and forth.
This will affect your muscles, bones, joints, nerves and ligaments straight
away or can sometimes take a little longer. It can normally happen from a
road traffic accident or a motor vehicle accident. Sometimes even a sports
related injury can give you whiplash.

4. Ques.:- What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Symptoms and severity of whiplash can vary significantly between people.
The most commonly reported symptom is neck pain or stiffness. This can
occur anywhere from immediately after the injury to several days later.
Symptoms may include:
Neck pain or stiffness
Headache
Shoulder pain, arm pain or upper back pain.
Dizziness
Altered sensation
Weakness
Visual disturbances
Hearing difficulties
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Difficulty concentrating

5. Ques.:- How is Whiplash Diagnosed?
Whiplash is a clinical diagnosis based of your history of injury and clinical
testing. Radiological tests may be useful to identify injury to specific structures
such as a fractured vertebra, disc injury, muscles or ligaments.
Red Flags
Whiplash Treatment

6. Red Flags
Due to traumatic nature of a whiplash injury; there is a risk of more urgent or
sinister injuries which need to be ruled out before undergoing treatment. Your
physiotherapist and GP are trained to detect anything abnormal which
warrants further investigation, however please notify a health professional if
you have (or develop) any of the following:
Bilateral pins and needles
Gait disturbances
Progressively worsening weakness or sensation problems
Pins and needles or numbness in the face
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Drop attacks/fainting
Bladder or bowel problems

7. Whiplash Treatment
Research shows the most effective way to treat your injury is with a
combination of treatment options which are tailored to your individual
dysfunctions. Research evidence supports various treatment approaches.
Your best treatment direction should be guided by an expert in the
rehabilitation such as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist who specializes in
neck injuries or whiplash.
Potential treatment methods for whiplash include:
Continuing your normal daily regime: Acting Normal!
Active treatment guided by your physiotherapist.
Exercise to encourage flexibility, strength and good posture.
Fine neck muscle and proprioception retraining programs guided by a
physiotherapist.
Acupuncture or dry needling for pain relief.

8. Physiotherapy
Most whiplash patients will start to feel better within a few weeks of the injury.
Your physiotherapy treatment will aim to:
Reduce neck pain, headaches and inflammation.
Normalise joint range of motion.
Strengthen your neck muscles.
Strengthen your upper back muscles.
Improve your neck posture.
Normalise your muscle lengths and resting muscle tension.

9. Will you get better?
Yes. However whiplash injuries can take from a few days to several months
to rehabilitate.
Just as the symptoms and severity of whiplash can vary from person to
person, so can the recovery time. The good news is that research shows the
large majority of whiplash sufferers recover with actively guided treatment.
There are many other factors which can impact on your recovery, including
depression and trauma-related anxiety, so it is important to raise any
additional issues with a qualified health professional to give yourself the best
chance of recovery.

10. info@metrophysio.co.uk
0161 745 7551 (Greater Manchester)
0151 515 2323 (Merseyside, Liverpool)
www.metrophysio.co.uk