Torso Conditions

Torso

Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury due to sudden acceleration-deceleration of the body, such as in a car accident. It can affect any of the soft tissues. Your physiotherapist will aim to reduce your pain, encourage tissue repair, restore joint movement and muscle strength, restore normal function. Common physiotherapy treatments for this are manual therapy, acupuncture, deep neck stabilization exercises, posture correction, soft tissue massage, kinesiology taping, electrotherapy, strengthening and stretching.

What you can do:

Early injury management includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. In the early stages rest from any aggravating movement is very important. However, after the first 72 hours you need to get moving again to avoid further problems such as muscle weakness or tightness. Ice is also very important in the first 72 hours. Protect your skin from the ice to avoid burns. Ice will help with pain and inflammation. Short term use of a neck brace can be used but no more than a day or two to avoid increasing stiffness in the neck.

Low back pain

Low back pain affects 80% of people and is diagnosed as “non-specific low back pain” in the majority of cases. There are many different causes of low back pain so it important to be assessed fully. With early treatment back pain can respond quickly to physiotherapy allowing you to return to normal activities. Bulging disc is an example of low back pain. A bulging disc can press on or irritate a nerve as it exits the spine causing pain, pins and needles, and numbness. Simple causes of low back pain can be poor posture, ligament injury sprains and muscle strains. Your physiotherapist will aim to reduce your pain and protect your back, encourage tissue repair, restore joint movement and muscle strength, and restore normal function. Your physiotherapist will discuss what you need to do to try and prevent re-occurrence. Common physiotherapy treatments for this are manual therapy, acupuncture, stabilization exercises, posture correction, soft tissue massage, kinesiology taping, electrotherapy, strengthening and stretching.

What you can do:

It is important to rest when your pain is acute. This is to reduce inflammation and muscle spasm. However, it is not advisable to go to bed for more than a day or so as this will cause weak and stiff muscles. You can use ice in the first few days to help pain, inflammation and muscle spasm. Heat can also be used to reduce muscle spasm and to ease pain. A back support can be helpful in the short term.

To find out more about our services or to book an appointment please call 053 9480 861 or email us at rachelrichardsonmiscp@yahoo.ie