Whiplash (medicine) - Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

The potential injury to the cervical spine from hyper-flexion or hyperextension may be debilitating, and pain was reported to be the biggest stressor event experienced in daily living, so it is important to begin rehabilitation immediately to prevent future pain . In most clinical cases, cervical collars are recommended until the pain ceases . Schnabel and colleagues also stated that the soft collar is not a suitable medium for rehabilitation, and the best way of recovery is to include an active rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy exercises and postural modifications. Another study found patients who participated in active therapy shortly after injury increased mobilization of the neck with significantly less pain within four weeks when compared to patients using a cervical collar . When beginning a rehabilitation regimen, it's important to begin with slow movements which include cervical rotation until pain threshold three to five times per day, flexion and extension of the shoulder joint by moving the arms up and down two to three times, and combining shoulder raises while inhaling and releasing the shoulder raise while exhaling . Soderlund and colleagues also recommend that these exercises should be done every day until pain starts to dissipate . Early mobilization is important for preventing chronic pain, but pain experienced from these exercises might cause psychological symptoms that could have negative impact on recovery