Neck Problems Explained

• Facts
• What causes neck pain?
• Whiplash
• What can you do if you have neck pain?

Facts:

• Neck pain affects approximately 10% of the population at any given point in time
• Approximately 50% of the population will have suffered from neck pain at some point in their lives
• The prevalence of neck pain is far higher in individuals who have been involved in a car accident, suffered a neck injury such as whiplash, or a head injury

Causes of Neck Pain:

The neck is a very complex structure that holds many important connections to our brain and the beginning of the spinal cord. There can be numerous causes of neck pain, but they may include one of the following:

• • Traumatic injuries such as whiplash
  • Problems with disc bulges or nerve entrapments
  • Neck joint injuries or sprains
  • Neck muscle injuries or strains
  • Poor postural habits
  • Overuse and over work
  • Weak neck stabilizing muscles

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs from an injury to your neck, which is caused by the head being thrown forward then backward. It may also be called a neck sprain or strain, and is a generalized injury to the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons) of the neck. It most often occurs as a result of rear-end car collisions, but can also happen from a fall or sports injury. Severe whiplash can also involve injury to the joints, discs, neck muscles and nerves.

Symptoms of whiplash may start right after the injury or may take several days to become noticeable.

After an accident, some common symptoms of whiplash can include:

• • • Neck stiffness and pain
    • Loss of movement of the neck
    • Headaches and dizziness
    • Jaw pain
    • Difficulty eating or chewing
    • Burning, tingling or prickling sensations in the neck and down the arm
    • Shoulder and upper back pain

Did you know?

Many studies have shown that the biggest risk associated with whiplash injuries is to not receive proper treatment promptly enough. This can lead to improper healing where the injured tissues tighten up and gradually get weaker. The longer this goes on, the harder it is to get better, which is why it is extremely important to consult with a qualified Physiotherapist as quickly as possible following a neck injury.

What Can You Do?

Regardless of the type of neck injury you may have suffered, the Physiotherapists at Kanata Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Clinic can provide you with a number of treatment options, including:

• • Treatments to reduce pain, which may include manual, hands-on traction, mobilizing, stretching and massage; the use of ultrasound, electrical currents, heat, ice, and acupuncture
  • Exercises to help strengthen your neck muscles, stretch tight areas, and improve posture
    Advice on activity modification

Our philosophy at Kanata Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Clinic is to get you better as quickly as possible and provide you with all the tools you need to prevent injuries in the future.