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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
Why isn't my whiplash improving greatly?
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I was involved in a MVA over a month ago and sustained whiplash. I have pain and pressure in the back of my skull, my neck, the tops of my shoulders and down my spine. I am seeing a Physio 3 times a week (traction, massage, ultrasound, manual manipulation), using heat pads on my back, have a routine of exercises to do at home, taking Tramadol and now using a memory foam contour pillow. X ray, CT scan both came back clear and I will be having an MRI next week. I am only working 6 hours per day and am not allowed to drive.
Both my GP and Physio are concerned that I am not reporting better improvement, I am concerned they think I should be!
It is a Work Cover issue as the accident happened at work and I feel I am having to fight the insurance company, my supervisors, their bosses that it is a real and ongoinging issue for me. I just wish it had never happened. -
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Dr Michael Cohen
Chiropractor
Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is co-founder of the Chirosports Group one of Australia's leading groups of Chiropractors working together since 1994. Dr Michael Cohen Chiropractor … View Profile
I am hearing your concerns, and can see this is causing you stress, especially needing to defend your recovery process at work.
Whiplash is regularly a complex injury, and there is evidence to show that a slower impact whiplash injury can be worse that a fast impact event. The good news is that you are doing the right thing with physiotherapy and exercises. You may want to see a Chiropractor for some additional care and to check your nervous system flow as this can sometimes aid recovery, however, what you are already doing is also very good. An MRI will also help you, and just check that nothing more is happening in there that was missed.
It's important to realise that the body takes time to heal and a month for a whiplash injury is a short space of time. In practice it is common for a whiplash injury to stabilise within several months. Often this depends on age, baseline health, BMI, fitness, the impact of the injury itself and your innate healing process which is unique to your body. With a cut you can see the healing. With a broken bone you are in plaster for 6-8 weeks, with a whiplash the body is doing the healing process without any visual to see what's happening.
If you would like to find out more about other treatments that may help, please contact me. That said I still feel what you are already doing is very good, it may just take more time for your body to recover from this injury as it is often more complex and impacts a wide range of ligaments, muscles, nerves and joints - all of which are well hidden inside your body - so to the outside world you look so normal, when underneath there is an incredible amount of work going on to fix the problem.
All the best.
Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor
http://www.chirosports.com.au/clinics/coogee
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Dr Carlo Rinaudo
Chiropractor
Dr Carlo Rinaudo (Chiropractor and PhD candidate) is the clinic director of Brain Hub, a clinic in Sydney focussed on helping people with dizziness and … View Profile
The cervical (neck) joints have embedded within a huge amount of receptors, called proprioceptors, that give the brain and body an awareness of itself. Along with our eyes, and inner ears (vestibular), proprioceptors give us proper balance, movement and control.
A very common consequence of a motor vehicle accident is dysfunction to the cervical (neck) joints. Injuries to the muscles, ligaments and joints of the cervical spine will often lead to pain in the area, as well as referral to the head, upper back and into the shoulders and arms. Additionally, injury to the cervical joints will disrupt normal proprioception function regarding neck position, which will conflict with visual and inner ear inputs, causing impairment of sensory-motor control of the head.
Basically the 'motion sensors of your GPS are not right"
Typically vertigo, ongoing neck and head pain, stiffness, double vision, and consequently fear of movement often occur following a motor vehicle accident.
So with all that said, addressing the altered joint movements as soon as possible is vital in ensuring an efficient and effective recovery. This maybe accomplished by specific and gentle manipulations, exercises and advice on posture and ergonomics. Additionally, exercises that involve balance and stability to the whole body, eye and head exercises including gaze-stabilization can be extremely beneficial in those suffering from whiplash.
It seems these sensory-motor integration therapies have been omitted with his current form of care. In our office, we integrate a variety of treatments to ensure we ‘reset’ the bodies awareness and its control. Once achieved, we find most of the compensatory pain mechanisms reduce, and patients have better long-term outcomes, including overcoming their fears and anxiety.
All the best,
Carlo Rinaudo
Chiropractor ~ Functional Neurology
http://www.liveactiveclinic.com.auReport this post
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Sandra McFaul
Physiotherapist
Do you suffer from chronic lower back pain or neck pain? Based in SYDNEY, Sandra is 1 of ONLY 15 Physiotherapists in Australia with ADVANCED … View Profile
The good news is that your x ray and CT came back clear.
The key thing to remember is that treatment varies enourmously. From your message you are getting alot of passive treatment (and in my opinion that really is not the key in the recovery of any pain or problem.)
Active treatment (ie your exercises) is the key to help you in the recovery process.
How often are you doing them?
What effect do they have?
If they causes too much pain, then they may be the wrong ones for you (at this point in time.)
McKenzie Physio's are experts in helping people with neck pain including whiplash. Treatment is active… showing you how to take control and giving you the tools to manage and get your life back on track.
GOOGLE McKenzie Method or visit the McKenzie Institute website to find your closest McKenzie trained therapist. There are 2 levels - basic or crendnetialed trained therapists or advanced.Dip MDT therapists.
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