What is whiplash?

‘Whiplash’ describes the rapid forceful movements of the neck backwards and forwards - flexion and hyper-extension – which occur most commonly in road traffic accidents or with a sports injury or fall.

What happens to the body with a whiplash injury?

The excessive forces can cause inflammation, misalignments and hypermobility of spinal joints with possible bone fractures or damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs and nerves.

How do I know if have whiplash?

The most common symptoms of whiplash are:-

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pain in the arms, legs, feet or hands
• Headache
• Low back pain and/or stiffness
• Pain between the shoulder blades
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty swallowing
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears
• Vertigo
• Numbness and tingling
• Pain in the jaw or face

What should I do if I have had a whiplash?

It is important to examine and assess injuries as soon as possible. Once diagnosis is made, a combination of treatment techniques (spinal manipulation, mobilisation, muscle massage, acupuncture, ultrasound) will be used to relieve the pain and prevent any long term damage to the injured areas.

At Sayer Clinic : Kensington we take computed digital x-rays of the cervical spine as well as performing  neurological and orthopaedic tests to diagnose the extent of whiplash injury. We may refer for MRI or CT scan without delay, if indicated.

Treatment

• Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Therapeutic Massage and Physical Therapy
• Chiropractic treatment – specific, gentle spinal mobilisation to normalise spinal joint function
• Physical Therapy – laser, ultrasound, electrotherapy, massage, exercise and rehabilitation
• Acupuncture can help relieve chronic neck and shoulder pain
• Postural training and advice on correct ergonomic seating and computer screen height and position.
• Medical treatment of mild muscle pain includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These can help in the short term.

Chris Berlingieri - Doctor of Chiropractic – practises at Sayer Clinics: Kensington and Cavendish Square and is extremely experienced in computed digital x-ray analysis, diagnosis and functional rehabilitation treatment of the joints of the cervical spine and surrounding muscles.

He originally practiced in New York and has been treating whiplash injuries since 1994.

Chris Berlingieri can liaise directly with your solicitor in whiplash injury claim cases and write medico-legal reports whilst you receive treatment.

Call Kensington W8 at 020 7937 8978 or Cavendish Square W1 on 020 7629 9496 to book an appointment.