Acute whiplash syndrome is caused by a rapid movement of the head, arising from acceleration/deceleration forces. Cause of whiplash may include motor vehicle accidents, blows to the face or body, falls onto the shoulder and pull or thrust on the arm.
In a study by Vassiliou et al, the effectiveness of early mobilization versus the use of a soft cervical collar for neck pain after a whiplash injury was studied. Initial reports of pain and disability between the groups were not significant. However after 6 weeks of therapy versus the use of a soft collar, the therapy group had a significant decrease in pain and disability.
This study concluded that early mobilization of the cervical spine should be recommended as a new standard therapy in the management of acute whiplash injuries. If you have the signs and symptoms of whiplash, Back in Motion Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, Inc. can get you back on track to a pain free life.
(Schnabel M, Vassiliou, Schmidt T, Basler HD, Gotzen L, Junge A, Kaluza. Result of early mobilizations of acute whiplash injuries. Schmerz, 2002 Feb; 16(1): 15-21.)