• Whiplash Rehabilitation (Whiplash Associated Disorder, WAD)

    Mobility Exercises for the Neck

    All whiplash injuries should be checked by a doctor at the accident and emergency department. The doctor will usually fit a soft collar and prescribe pain-relieving medication. As soon as the pain allows, the following exercises should be commenced. These exercises can help reduce the stiffness in the neck and accelerate recovery.

    1 Neck Flexion Take the chin towards the chest, then back up to look forwards.
    2 Neck Extension Move the head back gently and look up to the ceiling, then look forwards.
    3 Rotation to the Right Look over the right shoulder, then back to looking forwards.
    4 Rotation to the Left Look over the left shoulder, then back to looking forwards.
    5 Side Flexion to the Right Look forwards and try to take the right ear to the tip of the right shoulder.
    6 Side Flexion to the Left Look forwards and try to take the left ear to the tip of the right shoulder.

    These exercises should be repeated 10 times, 3 times each day, if pain allows. Each time the exercises are done, the patient should be able to move the neck a little further. If the pain fails to improve or becomes worse, the exercises should be stopped immediately, and a doctor or Chartered Physiotherapist consulted.

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