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| Whiplash |
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The term whiplash describes injuries to the
neck from rapid deceleration or acceleration. Generally, a combination of
muscle strains coupled with joint and ligament sprains results. Symptoms
can include pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, nausea, shoulder and/or
arm pain, paresthesias (numbness/tingling), blurred vision, and in rare
cases difficulty swallowing. Symptoms may appear as quickly as two hours
following injury. |
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| Treatment in the first 2-3 weeks focuses on
modalities and activities to guide the healing process. As the body begins
to repair the injured tissues, it is critical to restore mobility and range
of motion before restricting scar tissue can form. As the healing matures,
treatment advances to restoration of muscle strength and function. |
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Proper physical therapy management of whiplash
injuries is often very successful. Early treatment is imperative to reducing
inflammation and restoring neck mobility before stiffness and chronic pain
is able to take hold. |
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