Whiplash, or what physical therapists in Houston, TX call neck sprains, can occur at any time. You might walk, or sit in one position for long and experience it. You can also experience whiplash after being involved in an accident or other trauma.
What is Whiplash?
Neck sprains occur when a rapid and forceful motion forces the muscles and tendons in the neck to stretch suddenly and painfully. Trauma like accidents or falls could cause whiplash, as could repetitive forms of exercise such as golfing or swinging tennis rackets. When a person suffers from a neck sprain, any form of movement is usually painful, whether sideways, backward or forward.
Diagnosis of Whiplash in Physical Therapy
When you book an appointment to treat a neck sprain, the physical therapist in Houston, TX will ask you about your medical history, activities, and symptoms to decide what effective treatment to prescribe for you. Your physical therapist will diagnose you with whiplash if you exhibit these symptoms:
- Pain during movement
- Tenderness around the neck area
- Headaches
- Hard or knotted muscles
Physical therapists at Absolute Physical Therapy may also order X-rays, and CT scans to determine the cause and extent of damage of the sprain. After confirming that you have a neck sprain, your physical therapist will start you on any of the following courses for the successful treatment of the whiplash.
Treatment Options for Whiplash
- Cool the neck with ice to provide pain relief
- Move it around to keep it from stiffening
- Take medication for relief from the pain associated with the sprain and reduction of the swelling caused by it. This option ends with the successful treatment of the sprain but might have some side effects.
- Moist heat compressing to loosen muscles after icing
- Wearing a neck brace for a short time
- Physiotherapy (exercise and massages) to loosen the muscle and relieve pain
With effective treatment, a neck sprain goes away within a few days or weeks. If you have neck pain, book an appointment for physical therapy at Absolute Physical Therapy to get treatment today!