More than 50% of my work is done with people who have suffered a whiplash. Most car accidents are the result of a stationary vehicle being rear ended by a moving vehicle. Usually at stop lights. This causes the unsuspecting car driver to undergo a “flexion-extension” injury commonly known as the whiplash.
The approach we use is the one recommended by the 2008 Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. 
This research group reviewed the world wide body of peer reviewed journal articles on whiplash treatments to determine what was the most effective course of action.
Not surprisingly, they echoed the same findings that most other major research councils have produced in the past 20 or so years:
1. exercise rehabilitation
The council found that a program focusing on strengthening the neck, upper body and core was the bed rock of whiplash treatments. Which is exactly what our clinic does first and foremost with our patients.
2. early return to work and recreation
Unless the whiplash is severe, patients should be encouraged to slowly and safely begin some their pre-accident lifestyle before all symptoms of whiplash are gone. Again, this is our method of operating with our whiplash patients. We want them to “test drive” their necks and bodies before we are done with our treatment regimen. This ensures they do not slip into a hyper-victimized mindset and allows them to get better faster.
3. Manual therapy
This represents any combination of massage, stretching and joint mobilization/manipulation. Essentially, anything “hands on” that has been proven to be effective. Often, patients need a customized program of manual therapy. In other words, not all pegs fit in the same holes. Some get all of the above, while some get two or less of the above. All depending on what seems to benefit them.
Our clinic keeps up on all major research in the areas of our expertise. And we are proud to deliver cutting edge, evidence based treatments to get our patients through the difficulties of a whiplash as smoothly and quickly as possible.
