title: Physical and psychological aspects of whiplash: important considerations for primary care assessment, part 2--case studies.
abstract: Whiplash is a heterogenous and in many, a complex condition involving both physical and psychological factors. Primary care practitioners are often the first health care contact for individuals with a whiplash injury and as such play an important role in gauging prognosis as well as providing appropriate management for whiplash injured patients. It is imperative that factors associated with poor outcome are recognized and managed in the primary care environment at the crucial early acute stage post-injury. This paper presents 2 case studies of individuals with acute whiplash pain. The case studies illustrate the heterogeneity of the whiplash condition and the importance of clinical assessment that includes consideration of both physical and psychological manifestations. They also demonstrate the important role physiotherapists' play in the management of people with whiplash, particularly in the early post-injury stage.
authors.affiliation: Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (CONROD), The University of Queensland, Mayne Medical School, Herston, QLD 4066, Australia. m.sterling@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sterling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods; D019090:Case Management; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055809:Illness Behavior; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics