Whiplash is a neck injury, resulting from the neck being thrust forward and backward in an uncontrolled manner. Muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons can be injured in the process. A concussion will almost certainly result in a neck sprain or strain! And, researchers have discovered there is no difference between the symptoms reported by whiplash patients and those reported by concussion patients in a recent unpublished study at the University of Buffalo.
Specific testing is the only way to tell if your symptoms are originating from your neck or from your concussion. In fact, the majority of patients in this category do not report any neck pain at all, making this an even more complex injury to manage.
The signs and symptoms of whiplash are identical to those of concussion. A concussion will almost certainly be accompanied with whiplash and neck dysfunction.
People with whiplash and neck pain have been observed to experience headaches, cognitive and emotional issues, balance problems and dizziness, eye movement control disorders, and cerebral blood flow abnormalities.
Patients who present with persistent concussion symptoms often find that treating their neck improves their symptoms almost instantaneously.
Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that your neck is assessed after suffering from a concussion injury! Whittlesea Physiotherapy is a member of the Complete Concussion Management Inc Partnership Program – a network of clinics around the world offering evidence-based concussion care. For more information or to book an appointment call us on 03 9716 2250 or email [email protected]