Whiplash

This is an injury caused by an excessive flexion or extension of the head and neck, commonly

present in people who have experienced a car crash. The force of the back and forth motion primarily affects the neck and head because the seatbelt in cars holds the chest and torso areas in place while the head is not anteriorly supported.

This condition can cause muscle spasms and tears in small neck muscles, small muscles in the back of the head, bruising, joint and bone damage.

There are 5 types of grades, with grade 0 being minimally affected to grade 4 being heavily affected. Massage therapists cannot diagnose or grade whiplash injuries. Please contact your Medical Doctor or Physiotherapist to get an official assessment.

The goal for massage therapy and whiplash patients are to decrease hypertensive muscles, decrease spastic muscles, improve joint range of motion, and decrease pain and/or soreness.