Whiplash is a colloquial term describing a neck injury involving quick acceleration and deceleration of the neck. The problems that occur following this type of injury are described as Whiplash Associated Disorder.

The most common mechanism of injury for Whiplash is being involved in a car accident. The head is forced rapidly into extension and then as then into flexion. This occurs so quickly the muscles of the body that protect the neck are unable to react in time to prevent tissue injury. While this mechanism has the potential to cause serious injury to the neck including fractures, most cases involve more minor levels of soft tissue injury to ligaments, muscles and joints of the neck.

 

Due to the potential for significant injury, it is important to have your injury assessed closely by a trained physiotherapist. At Dr7 Physiotherapy Dianella, all our physiotherapists are highly trained in the assessment and management of whiplash associated disorder. This will include screening for major injuries and assessing your risk of non-recovery. Our physiotherapists can explain your injury to you, provide pain management techniques and give advice on things you can do to manage your injury.

For many people pain after a whiplash injury resolves within three months, but there is a number of cases where pain can persist for longer. Early, high quality management can minimise your risk of developing ongoing neck pain after a whiplash injury.

In some cases you may be eligible for compensation for your medical expenses following a car accident through the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA). If you have a claim number, a doctor’s referral and your claim has been approved, Dr7 Physiotherapy Yokine can send your bills straight to ICWA so you have no out-of-pocket expenses.

If you have neck pain as a result of a whiplash injury, don’t hesitate to call Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry Joondanna and ask to see one of our physiotherapists today. Dr7 Physiotherapy and Podiatry services Perth’s northern suburbs including Yokine, Tuart Hill, Osborne Park, Stirling, Nollamara, Dianella, North Perth and surrounding suburbs. Our friendly Physiotherapists and Podiatrists have appointments available Monday-Saturday.

Bookings are available on our website (click on the “Book an appointment” button on the top right hand side of the page) or over the phone.