Choosing Physiotherapy for the Treatment of Your Whiplash Injury

Have you recently suffered a whiplash injury? In this blog, we are going to look at how physiotherapy can be used to effectively treat a whiplash injury.

What is a Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash refers to a sudden movement that forcefully jerks the head backward and forward. It commonly occurs during car collisions and other accidents. This sudden movement can cause the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck to stretch and strain, often leading to pain, inflammation, stiffness, and injury to the discs and nerves in the cervical spine.

Common Symptoms of Whiplash Injury

Do you think you might have suffered a whiplash injury? Here are some common symptoms that you should be on the lookout for:

• Persistent and severe headaches starting at the base of the skull
• Dizziness, or vertigo
• Tension, discomfort, and pain in the shoulders and upper back
• Pain and stiffness in the neck
• Numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands or arms 
• Unusual fatigue

How Physiotherapy Can Help Treat a Whiplash Injury

The goal of physiotherapy is to help patients regain their full range of motion. Physiotherapy also seeks to treat whiplash injuries by focusing on the root cause of the patient’s pain and discomfort. Let’s take a look at the many ways in which physiotherapy can support patients on their healing journey:

• Pain relief – Through techniques such as manual therapy, soft tissue mobilization, heat or cold therapy, and electrical stimulation, physiotherapists can effectively reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation in sore areas around the neck and upper body muscles.

• Restoring the patient’s flexibility and range of motion – The physiotherapist will put together an exercise routine tailored to their patient’s needs and injury level. This will involve stretches and strengthening exercises designed to improve the patient’s mobility and flexibility. 

• Building stronger muscles – Physiotherapy also helps to strengthen muscles that may have been weakened by whiplash injury. Indeed, such injuries often cause weakness and imbalance in the muscles of the neck and upper back. Targeted strength training will also help build the patient’s endurance, further improving their mobility as well.

• Functional rehabilitation – Since poor posture can exacerbate the pain and discomfort that come with a whiplash injury, physiotherapy also seeks to help patients with posture correction and functional rehabilitation. This will also help reduce the strain on the patient’s neck and upper back.

• Prevention of future injuries – If you are suffering from a whiplash injury, your physiotherapist will also educate you on proper posture and body mechanics to prevent the reoccurrence of similar injuries. 

Understanding ICBC Physiotherapy Coverage

If you are a resident of British Columbia and have sustained a whiplash injury as a result of a car accident, your physiotherapy treatment may be covered by your ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) benefits. ICBC physiotherapy coverage helps make it easier for patients to receive the treatment they need in a timely manner, supporting you on your healing journey. You may be eligible for up to 25 physiotherapy sessions, each lasting a minimum of 20 minutes, for the treatment of your whiplash injury. Additionally, in certain cases that require further treatment, you may be eligible for extended coverage from ICBC.

ICBC Physiotherapy in the Lower Mainland

Are you looking for a physiotherapist in the Lower Mainland who caters to ICBC patients? Look no further than Back in Motion Health. Book your appointment with our physiotherapists in Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Richmond, Surrey or Vancouver. 

We also have a new clinic providing physiotherapy in London, Ontario.

Bhoomika is a Registered Physiotherapist, licensed with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario. She received her Bachelor’s of Physiotherapy degree in 2014 from CHARUSAT University, Gujarat, India. She worked in Asia’s largest rehab institute treating a variety of cases in orthopedics, neurology, and pediatrics. Also, with her strong leadership qualities she led the team and served as head of the department.

She believes in continuing education and provides a tailored approach to each patient’s needs. She is certified and trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy from Robin McKenzie Institute of Canada, Advance training in concussion management, Acupuncture, pelvic health and custom knee braces and orthotics.

 Book online with Bhoomika in London here.