Whiplash Injury Treatment and Rehabilitation Singapore

Whiplash is a neck injury commonly caused by traffic accidents. It can create lifelong problems, with more than 50% of whiplash victims experiencing chronic neck pain as a result of the injury.

Whiplash in Singapore

Singapore recorded a total of 7, 184 traffic injuries in 2021. With whiplash being one of the most common types of traffic injuries, it is no doubt that Singapore experiences a significant amount of whiplash cases. Furthermore, whiplash is not just limited to traffic accidents. High impact sports, slips or falls, can all contribute to whiplash injuries as long as there is an abnormal jerking force of the spine involved.

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What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a type of neck injury that is caused by forceful, quick back-and-forth movements of the neck. This resembles the cracking of a whip, thus the name. Whiplash is typically the result of rear-end car accidents, but may also be due to other incidents, such as sports accidents, physical abuse and other types of physical trauma such as a fall. Whiplash may sometimes be described as a neck sprain or strain, but these terms are inclusive of other types of neck injuries. While most people recover from whiplash after following their treatment plan and pain medication, whiplash can sometimes result in lasting, chronic neck pains that can affect your ability to carry out daily activities.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Symptoms of whiplash can take quite a bit of time after the incident to surface. This can range from 24 hours to a few days after the incident. Symptoms of whiplash can include:

Pain in the neck that is accompanied by a loss in range of motion and tightness.
Pain when rocking your head back and forth or side to side.
Pain or stiffness when attempting to turn your head to the side.
Headaches at the bottom of your head that radiate towards your forehead.
Tenderness.

Do not take whiplash symptoms lightly. It is best to get the condition of your neck checked as soon as possible if you experience any accidents or symptoms of whiplash.

Risk Factors of Whiplash

Certain groups of people are more prone to getting serious complications from a whiplash injury. Risk factors associated with severe complications of whiplash include:

Having had whiplash before
Aged above 65
Prior lower back or neck pains
High-speed traffic injuries

These risk factors can increase your risks of developing serious complications from a whiplash injury, which can lead to permanent damage to your body.

Complications of Whiplash

If left untreated or no rehabilitation was done, whiplash can result in health complications. These can include:

Severe neck pain
Reduced range of motion in the neck
Pain that radiates outwards to the arms
Chronic neck pain
Chronic headaches

Diagnosing Whiplash

To accurately diagnose a whiplash injury, your doctor will ask about the incident and your symptoms. A physical examination will be carried out to check for:

The range of motion in your shoulders and neck
Tenderness in the affected areas
Degree of motion that causes you pain
The reflexes, strength and sensation in your limbs

Imaging tests may also be needed in order to ensure that the neck pain you are experiencing is not caused by other conditions. These can include:

X-rays. X-rays of the neck will allow your doctor to spot fractures, dislocation or arthritis.
Computerised tomography (CT). Cross-sectional images of your bones are used to check for bone damage.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Radio waves and a magnetic field produce detailed 3D images to check for bone injuries, soft tissue injuries as well as possible damage to your spinal cord, disks or ligaments.

Treatment Methods for Whiplash

The main objectives of whiplash injury treatments are to control pain, recover your neck’s range of motion and subsequently allow you to return to carrying out your daily activities. Treatment methods include:

Pain Management

While your body is recovering from whiplash, it is unavoidable to experience neck or shoulder pains. The following methods may be recommended by our physiotherapist to help you manage or reduce pain levels:

Rest. Getting sufficient rest is important during the recovery period. However, excessive rest may slow down your recovery, so it is important to move about as well.
Heat or cold treatment. Heat or cold can be applied to your neck, which should help ease the pain.
Over-the-counter pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers may be suitable for mild amounts of pain.
Prescription drugs. Severe pain may require prescription drugs, such as antidepressants that are able to relieve nerve pain.
Muscle relaxants. These drugs help to loosen tight muscles and reduce pain.
Injections. A numbing medicine may be injected into the affected muscles in order to allow you to conduct physiotherapy without experiencing extreme pain.

Exercise

Stretching and movement exercises may be recommended by your doctor with the objective of restoring your range of motion. Simple exercises such as rotating your neck or rolling your shoulders can be effective during the recovery process if conducted regularly.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management and rehabilitation of whiplash injury. The primary goals of physiotherapy for whiplash injury are to reduce pain, restore function, improve range of motion, and promote healing. Here are some common physiotherapy treatments for whiplash injury:

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, and manipulation are used to reduce pain, stiffness, and muscle tension in the affected area. Manual therapy can help improve joint mobility, restore normal movement patterns, and alleviate symptoms associated with whiplash injury.

TENS

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation involves the use of low-voltage electrical currents to stimulate sensory nerves, which can help reduce pain perception. It is often used as a non-invasive method for pain management in whiplash injury.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses high-frequency sound waves to generate heat deep within the tissues, promoting tissue healing, increasing blood flow, and reducing pain and inflammation in the affected area.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapy involves the use of electrical currents to stimulate muscle contractions, which can help reduce muscle spasms, improve muscle strength, and facilitate muscle relaxation in the neck and upper back muscles.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Hot packs are applied to the neck and upper back area to increase blood flow, relax muscles, and alleviate pain and stiffness associated with whiplash injury.
Cold packs are applied to the neck and upper back area to reduce inflammation, numb pain, and alleviate swelling associated with acute whiplash injury. Cold therapy helps constrict blood vessels and decrease metabolic activity, providing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

TCM for Whiplash

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views whiplash injury as a disruption in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood, leading to symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the affected areas, typically the neck, shoulders, and upper back. TCM approaches whiplash injury holistically, considering both the physical and energetic aspects of the condition.

TCM Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. In the case of whiplash injury, acupuncture can help reduce pain, improve blood circulation, and relax muscles.

TCM Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies are often prescribed in TCM to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and facilitate healing. Herbal formulas may include ingredients such as Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong), and Achyranthes bidentata (Niu Xi) to address symptoms associated with whiplash injury.

TCM Cupping Therapy

Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, which helps release tension, improve blood flow, and promote healing. Cupping therapy can be beneficial for relieving muscle stiffness and pain associated with whiplash injury.

TCM Moxibustion

Moxibustion involves burning dried mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) near acupuncture points to stimulate energy flow and promote healing. Moxibustion can be used in conjunction with acupuncture to enhance its therapeutic effects for whiplash injury.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, videos and all other materials contained on this website is for informational purposes only. None of the material is meant to replace a certified and registered Doctor's professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

No warranties or representations are given in respect of the medical information. Regis Wellness, Regis Wellness’s staff, and the website's operator will not be held liable if a user suffers any injury or loss after relying upon the medical information on this website.

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