What is Whiplash? The term whiplash is used to describe an injury caused to the tendons, ligaments and muscles of the neck and spine as a result of sudden or forceful movement of the head or body. 
The term whiplash gets its name because the body stops fast and the head and neck “whip” forward without control. This is also known as an acceleration/deceleration injury. While many people associate whiplash injury with car accidents, they can also occur on roller coasters, sports injuries or being punched or shaken. Shoulder and neck pain can be a common problem as much as low back pain and leg pain. Many people with whiplash, often experience severe pain that limits their ability to work, sleep, and otherwise function normally is their daily lives.
What are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after injury:
If you think you have whiplash, there are some ways to assess your situation and treat whiplash.
As a Physical Therapy clinic who specializes in musculoskeletal problems, we often encounter patients with auto-related injuries, such as shoulder and neck pain or low back pain. Treatment using physical therapy for whiplash and the key to optimal healing of whiplash and many auto related injuries is to recognize that connective tissue damage is often the major cause of persistent pain and loss of function. Treatment for whiplash must consider this problem and unfortunately connective tissue injuries are often missed and or given less consideration than bony problems such as fracture or pinched nerve problems in the spine, yet they are much more common and significantly contribute to whiplash symptoms. If a person who is receiving treatment for whiplash becomes overweight, and the whiplash symptoms prevent the client from being able to maintain their normal level of activity/exercise, simply click on flex-pt.com/weight-loss/ for ways to lose weight without exercise and for some self help tips on losing weight.
Approximately 80% of persistent pain after whiplash injury is due to connective tissue problems. Treatment for whiplash symptoms begins with Physical Therapy. Physical Therapists are the premier experts in treatment for whiplash and whiplash symptoms. 
Too often, auto injury patients will go to a chiropractor or call a 1-800 attorney referral hotline where the client will get referred to “members” of the hotline. Extreme caution should be followed if that is the action you choose to take. Flex Physical Therapy is the premier choice for aftercare and treatment of whiplash. Although we are an independent private Physical Therapy practice, we work with the finest Auto Injury Attorneys, Urgent Care Doctors, Chiropractors, Orthopedic surgeons, and more. In the State of Iowa, you do not need a doctor’s referral to receive physical therapy. This means you can come directly to a physical therapist, who specializes in the care and treatment of your whiplash injury. Most auto insurance plans includes medical coverage that will cover your care regardless of who is at fault.
Flex Physical Therapy accepts ALL auto insurances and also accept all letters from attorneys to guarantee that you will receive the care you need without incurring ANY upfront fees. Choosing the wrong HealthCare provider for example, one who is not familiar with fast acting, long lasting results or one who may not understand how to work with your attorney or insurance company could become problematic. We are experts in treating whiplash symptoms and fixing your pain for good. DO NOT delay your care any further as there is no cost to you and whiplash symptoms can often intensify over time and create long term problems. Call us now at 1-800-930-8803 and to start the healing process.
