Whiplash

Providing information about minor neck injuries is likely to be helpful to the huge amount of people per year reported to suffer from this injury. With the number of vehicles on the roads growing each year, this presentation is becoming more and more common.

A road traffic accident is certainly a shocking and disturbing experience. Even minor whiplash injuries can be extremely painful and as a result it is human nature to think that some long-term damage has been done. However, permanent damage is often rare and in most circumstances damage does not extend to the bones, discs or nerves. Many people only develop pain a few days after the accident, which can be attributed to the trauma that the ligaments and muscles have been subjected to.

It is extremely important, however that if you have a violent accident and you are suffering from intense pain, you should go to Accident and Emergency, to ensure that there is no serious damage. This is particularly important if you have been unconscious, have experienced visual disturbances, pins and needles, numbness or weakness, or indeed had any difficulty walking. X-rays and MRI scans can detect any serious spinal injuries, however these are not always as helpful in minor whiplash injuries. 

Although the pain can subside after a few days, it is the damage to the muscles and ligaments that an osteopath can help with. Osteopaths have the knowledge and skill to assess your neck and also will investigate how the rest of your body has coped with this recent trauma. They will be able to advise you on the appropriate course of action to take and help your body cope with the recent stresses it has suffered.