Options for Managing Ongoing Whiplash Pain

Many people develop whiplash after being involved in a car accident or another traumatic event which results in a rapid, back-and-forth movement of the neck. In many cases, the stiffness and neck pain associated with whiplash clear up within a few weeks. However, some patients' whiplash symptoms linger for months and years post-accident.

If you are one of those patients with chronic, ongoing whiplash symptoms, you'll want to look beyond overthe-counter pain relievers for treatment. The following are three treatments that can help ease your symptoms and offer lasting relief.

1. Physical Therapy

If you have not already had S-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to visually assess your whiplash injury, talk to your doctor about scheduling these diagnostic tests. The resulting images will allow a physical therapist to design a custom treatment routine to assist in your recovery.

In the early stages, your physical therapist may use healing therapies like cold treatment to stimulate healing of soft tissues. Cold therapy is really helpful for whiplash, since it helps reduce the inflammation and muscle spasms responsible for much of the pain. Your physical therapist may also use deep tissue massage to increase blood flow to the injured areas, which further speeds up healing.

As you heal, your physical therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles in your neck and back. He or she may offer tips and advice to help you alter your posture and perform your daily activities in a manner that's less aggravating to your neck. The results won't be instant, but if you stick with the exercises and routines, your whiplash symptoms should improve over time.

2. TENS

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. This treatment is performed with a special device that delivers low-current electricity via two electrodes. The electric pulses penetrate your skin and travel along nerve fibers. For the treatment of whiplash, the electrodes are typically placed on either side of the spine, just above the shoulder blades.

Although researchers are not entirely sure how TENS works to relieve pain, a common theory is that stimulating the nerves with electricity stops them from sending pain signals. TENS may also stimulate your body to release endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving hormones.

TENS is safe for most whiplash patients, except for those with a pacemaker and those in early pregnancy. You will feel a tingling sensation as the device works, but no pain. Your doctor or physical therapist may initially administer TENS in their office, but they can also recommend a TENS device for at-home use.

3. Injections

For more serious whiplash pain, your doctor may recommend injections in combination with physical therapy or TENs treatment. There are three main types of injections used for whiplash.

Epidural Steroid Injections

Sometimes, whiplash patients have nerve roots that have become compressed in the space between two vertebrae. When this is the case, injecting steroids into this space, known as the epidural space, can bring relief. You may need two or three injections spaced several months apart.

Trigger Point Steroid Injections

If the pain comes mostly from an irritated muscle in your neck or back, your doctor may inject a local pain reliever or steroid preparation directly into the sore area. If you have several so-called trigger points, each area may need to be injected separately.

Facet Joint Injections

The facet joints are the joints on either side of your spine where the vertebrae come together. Some chronic whiplash pain is caused by damage to the facet joints in the cervical (neck) vertebrae. If this is true of your injury, your doctor can inject a corticosteroid directly into the facet joint to alleviate pain and inflammation.

Facet joint injections are typically performed under local anesthesia. Your doctor may use a fluorescent imaging procedure to guide the needle and ensure they place the injection in the correct site.

If you are still suffering whiplash symptoms several weeks or months after an accident, don't hesitate to seek treatment. Contact Pain Care Management to make an appointment. We offer physical therapy, injection therapy, and other treatments to provide the lasting relief you deserve.