| Whiplash injury and the so-called whiplash associated | | | | associated with longer term pain and disability. |
| disorders (WAD) are common injuries and most | | | | Once the person can be upright for a reasonable time |
| typically suffered in rear shunt vehicle accidents, of | | | | the physio will prescribe simple neck exercises to |
| which there are a large number every day. The | | | | encourage an increase in range of movement and to |
| resulting pain and disability can be minor or very | | | | put normalising mechanical input through the neck discs, |
| severe and frightening as neck posture and | | | | ligaments, facet joints and muscles. Simple neck |
| movement become extremely difficult due to high | | | | exercises include rotating the neck as far as possible, |
| levels of pain and stiffness. Exercises are a very | | | | moving the chin towards the chest, tipping the head |
| important part of reducing the pain and restoring the | | | | backwards, side flexing to each side and tucking the |
| neck towards normal and are routinely prescribed by | | | | head in to give a double chin. These neck exercises |
| physiotherapists. The physio will judge the amount of | | | | cover all the main movements of the neck and should |
| movement and force appropriate for the pain condition | | | | be performed hourly in a slow and steady fashion. |
| of the patient's neck, as forcing the neck joints and | | | | The physio will usually add a series of exercises to |
| causing increased pain will always worsen the | | | | work on a larger body area, including the shoulder |
| condition and delay recovery. | | | | girdle, the shoulders and the upper thoracic area, all |
| Initial exercises may be done in lying with a pillow under | | | | regions of the body where the effects of whiplash |
| the head as the neck is most relaxed in this position | | | | injury can be felt. Gradual progression of the range |
| and the muscles are not active to oppose gravity | | | | and the force of the exercises is encouraged by the |
| acting on the head. Hourly gentle movements within | | | | physio to stress the joints of the neck so they can |
| the painful ranges should be performed without | | | | become more and more tolerant of postural and |
| aggravating the pain symptoms as this will worsen the | | | | movement forces. As soon as possible the physio will |
| pain and delay recovery. Regular time up with the | | | | progress the patient on to appropriate functional |
| head placing stresses on the neck is important for | | | | exercises related to their job and hobbies. |
| short periods as extended rest time is potentially | | | | |