Whiplash

Whiplash most often happens after a traffic accident or a slip or fall. The main symptom of whiplash is neck pain and stiffness. Headaches and radiating pain or muscle spasms in the shoulders and arms may also occur. The symptoms often take several hours after the trauma to start but can feel severe and begin to get in the way of normal everyday activities.

The goal of osteopathy treatment concerning whiplash is to provide pain relief and aid the recovery from whiplash. Following a thorough assessment at one of the three London Osteopathy clinics, your treatment will be tailor-made to your individual requirements. This may include a combination of the below:

• Massage (Pressure and friction at the injury site and supporting structures to release tensions in the soft tissues. The increased blood and lymph supply to the treated area can optimise healing to the joint and surrounding tissues, following several session you may notice a reduction in pain and an overall improvement of function in your everyday activities)

• Joint mobilisation (to loosen stiff joints and flood the area with synovial fluid to relieve pain)

• Gentle exercise (for flexibility, good posture and strength, focus may be placed on fine neck muscles with an aim to work on proprioception retraining programs)

• Education (in relation to the injury and self-management advice as well as ergonomic and lifestyle changes. Advice and information on correct moving patterns may be useful during and after your recovery)

• Postural assessment and intervention, to speed up recovery and work on any underlying imbalances which may adversely impact on your wellbeing in the future.

These techniques work together to aim to relieve muscle tension and pain associated with whiplash, whilst working to restore and improve joint flexibility. Work may be done on surrounding structures and joints to take the stress and strain off the affected area, ensuring that the loading of the joints is as equal as possible. The London Osteopath clinic has three bases offering treatment for whiplash, in central London, Beckenham and Holborn.