If you or someone you know has been involved in accident, call our office today. Check out THIS VIDEO to learn more about resolving neck pain from auto accidents.
Whiplash is an injury to the soft-tissues of the neck often referred to as a sprain or strain. Because there are a unique set of symptoms associated with whiplash, doctors and researchers commonly use the term “whiplash associated disorders” or WAD to describe the condition.
WAD commonly occurs as a result of a car crash, but it can also result from a slip and fall, sports injury, a personal injury (such as an assault), and other traumatic causes. The tissues commonly involved include muscle tendons (“strain”), ligaments and joint capsules (“sprains”), disk injuries (tears, herniation), as well as brain injury or concussion—even without hitting the head!
Symptoms vary widely but often include neck pain, stiffness, tender muscles and connective tissue (myofascial pain), headache, dizziness, sensations such as burning, prickly, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and referred pain to the shoulder blade, mid-back, arm, head, or face. If concussion occurs, additional symptoms include cognitive problems, concentration loss, poor memory, anxiety/depression, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and more!
Whiplash associated disorders can be broken down into three categories: WAD I includes symptoms without any significant examination findings; WAD II includes loss of cervical range of motion and evidence of soft-tissue damage; and WAD III includes WAD II elements with neurological loss—altered motor and/or sensory functions. There is a WAD IV which includes fracture, but this is less common and often excluded.
Treatment for WAD includes everything from doing nothing to intensive management from multiple disciplines—chiropractic, primary care, physical therapy, clinical psychology, pain management, and specialty services such as neurology, orthopedics, and more. The goal of treatment is to restore normal function and activity participation, as well as symptom management.
The prognosis of WAD is generally good as many will recover without residual problems within days to weeks, with most people recovering around three months after the injury. Unfortunately, some are not so lucky and have continued neck pain, stiffness, headache, and some develop post-concussive syndrome. The latter can affect cognition, memory, vision, and other brain functions. Generally speaking, the higher the WAD category, the worse the prognosis, although each case MUST be managed by its own unique characteristics. If the injury includes neurological loss (muscle strength and/or sensory dysfunction like numbness, tingling, burning, pressure), the prognosis is often worse.
Chiropractic care for the WAD patient can include manipulation, mobilization, and home-based exercises, as well as the use of anti-inflammatory herbs (ginger, turmeric, proteolysis enzymes (bromelain, papain), devil’s claw, boswellia extract, rutin, bioflavonoid, vitamin D, coenzyme Q10, etc.) and dietary modifications aimed at reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
* 83% of those patients involved in an MVA will suffer whiplash injury and 50% will be symptomatic at 1 year.
* 90% of patients with neurologic signs at onset may be symptomatic at 1 year.
* 25- 80% of patients who suffer a whiplash injury will experience late-onset dizziness
* Clinicians should be observant for radiographic signs of instability, including interspinous widening, vertebral subluxation, vertebral compression fracture, and loss of cervical lordosis.
* Horizontal displacement of greater than 3.5 mm or angular displacement of more than 11 degrees on flexion/extension views suggests instability
Posture assessment is a key component of the chiropractic examination, and the posture of the head and neck is especially important for a patient recovering from a whiplash injury. Forward head carriage describes a state in which the head sits more forward on the shoulders than it should. In order for the muscles in the neck and shoulders to keep the head upright, they must work harder. This added strain can increase one’s risk for neck pain and headaches, which is why retraining posture is a key component to the management of neck pain and headaches in patients with or without a history of whiplash.
Forward head carriage also increases the distance between the back of the head and the headrest in the seated position, especially when the seat is reclined. In a rear-end collision, a gap greater than a half an inch between the head rest and the back of the head increases the probability of injury due to the greater distance the head can hyperextend as it rebounds backwards into the headrest. This makes posture correction of forward head carriage an important aspect of treatment from both a preventative and curative perspective.
So this begs the question, can forward head carriage be corrected? The simple answer is “yes!” One study evaluated the effects of a 16-week resistance and stretching program designed to address forward head posture and protracted shoulder positioning.
Researchers conducted the study in two separate secondary schools with 130 adolescents aged 15–17 years with forward head and protracted shoulder posture. The control group participated in a regular physical education (PE) program while the experimental group attended the same PE classes with the addition of specific exercises for posture correction. The research ream measured the teens’ shoulder head posture from the side using two different validated methods and tracked symptoms using a questionnaire. The results revealed a significant improvement in the shoulder and cervical angle in the experimental group that did not occur in the control group.
The conclusion of the study strongly supports that a 16-week resistance and stretching program is effective in decreasing forward head and protracted shoulder posture in adolescents. This would suggest that a program such as this should be strongly considered in the regular curriculum of PE courses since this is such a common problem.
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to evaluate and manage forward head posture with shoulder protraction. This can prove beneficial in both the prevention as well as management of signs and symptoms associated with a whiplash injury.
Whiplash is an injury to the soft-tissues of the neck often referred to as a sprain or strain. Because there are a unique set of symptoms associated with whiplash, doctors and researchers commonly use the term “whiplash associated disorders” or WAD to describe the condition.
WAD commonly occurs as a result of a car crash, but it can also result from a slip and fall, sports injury, a personal injury (such as an assault), and other traumatic causes. The tissues commonly involved include muscle tendons (“strain”), ligaments and joint capsules (“sprains”), disk injuries (tears, herniation), as well as brain injury or concussion—even without hitting the head!
Symptoms vary widely but often include neck pain, stiffness, tender muscles and connective tissue (myofascial pain), headache, dizziness, sensations such as burning, prickly, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and referred pain to the shoulder blade, mid-back, arm, head, or face. If concussion occurs, additional symptoms include cognitive problems, concentration loss, poor memory, anxiety/depression, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and more!
Whiplash associated disorders can be broken down into three categories: WAD I includes symptoms without any significant examination findings; WAD II includes loss of cervical range of motion and evidence of soft-tissue damage; and WAD III includes WAD II elements with neurological loss—altered motor and/or sensory functions. There is a WAD IV which includes fracture, but this is less common and often excluded.
Treatment for WAD includes everything from doing nothing to intensive management from multiple disciplines—chiropractic, primary care, physical therapy, clinical psychology, pain management, and specialty services such as neurology, orthopedics, and more. The goal of treatment is to restore normal function and activity participation, as well as symptom management.
The prognosis of WAD is generally good as many will recover without residual problems within days to weeks, with most people recovering around three months after the injury. Unfortunately, some are not so lucky and have continued neck pain, stiffness, headache, and some develop post-concussive syndrome. The latter can affect cognition, memory, vision, and other brain functions. Generally speaking, the higher the WAD category, the worse the prognosis, although each case MUST be managed by its own unique characteristics. If the injury includes neurological loss (muscle strength and/or sensory dysfunction like numbness, tingling, burning, pressure), the prognosis is often worse.
Chiropractic care for the WAD patient can include manipulation, mobilization, and home-based exercises, as well as the use of anti-inflammatory herbs (ginger, turmeric, proteolysis enzymes (bromelain, papain), devil’s claw, boswellia extract, rutin, bioflavonoid, vitamin D, coenzyme Q10, etc.) and dietary modifications aimed at reducing inflammation and promoting healing.
* 83% of those patients involved in an MVA will suffer whiplash injury and 50% will be symptomatic at 1 year.
* 90% of patients with neurologic signs at onset may be symptomatic at 1 year.
* 25- 80% of patients who suffer a whiplash injury will experience late-onset dizziness
* Clinicians should be observant for radiographic signs of instability, including interspinous widening, vertebral subluxation, vertebral compression fracture, and loss of cervical lordosis.
* Horizontal displacement of greater than 3.5 mm or angular displacement of more than 11 degrees on flexion/extension views suggests instability.
Auto accidents are the leading cause of whiplash, with up to 83% of people involved in accidents suffering from this painful injury. Whiplash can be severe, especially in rear-end collisions, and various factors can predict the extent of your injury. Surprisingly, the amount of visible damage to your vehicle does not correlate with the severity of your whiplash. Even minor impacts at speeds less than 5 MPH can cause significant symptoms.
Several factors can increase your risk of sustaining a whiplash injury in an auto accident:
Symptoms of whiplash can begin immediately or have a delayed onset. Early signs include soreness in the front of your neck, which usually fades quickly. Ongoing symptoms often include:
Sprain/strain injuries from whiplash replace normal, healthy, elastic tissue with less elastic “scar tissue,” leading to ongoing pain and even arthritis. Over half of those injured will experience neck pain up to a year after the accident.
Seeking early and appropriate treatment is critical, and chiropractic care stands out as the main source of relief and correction for whiplash. Here’s why:
1. Early Intervention: Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat whiplash injuries promptly. Early intervention can prevent the formation of scar tissue and chronic pain.
2. Pain Relief: Chiropractic adjustments help reduce pain and inflammation by realigning the spine and improving joint function. This can provide immediate relief and long-term benefits.
3. Restoring Mobility: Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal movement patterns, which is essential for preventing stiffness and improving overall mobility.
4. Preventing Chronic Issues: By addressing the underlying causes of pain and stiffness, chiropractors can help prevent the development of chronic conditions such as arthritis.
5. Comprehensive Care: Chiropractors offer a holistic approach, including lifestyle advice, exercises, and ergonomics, to support recovery and prevent future injuries.
If you are involved in an accident, it is essential to seek chiropractic care as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms are mild or delayed, early examination and treatment can significantly impact your recovery. Additionally, if you were riding with others, they might also have sustained injuries, and it would be beneficial for all passengers to be examined promptly.
If you’ve been in an auto accident, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Schedule an appointment with our chiropractic office to get the care you need and start your path to recovery. Chiropractic care is your best option for relieving pain, restoring mobility, and preventing long-term complications from whiplash. Share your experiences or questions in the comments below and let us help you on your journey to wellness.
A hip fracture usually occurs in the upper part of the thigh bone (femur), near the hip joint.
This type of fracture mainly occurs as a result of a fall or a direct impact on the bone, such as in a car accident. Osteoporosis and osteopenia can contribute to weakened bone integrity and increase the risk of fracture.
Older people and post-menopausal women are at higher risk of a hip fracture.
A stress fracture can occur following a period of overtraining and can also lead to a hip fracture.
With a whiplash injury the muscles of the neck get overloaded and strained. When this happens trigger points can form in any or all of these muscles. Trigger points in the neck muscles will refer pain into the head and face causing headaches and migraines. These points won’t release with rest, stretching, or rehab exercise. They require a manual technique like trigger point massage for them to resolve.
did you know that one of the most successful ways to treat whiplash is with massage therapy? during a whiplash injury the muscles and soft tissue in the neck get damaged. massage therapy techniques such as trigger point massage are an effective way to treat these injured muscle and speed up the healing process.
One on the unavoidable consequences of a whiplash injury is the development of myofascial trigger points in the muscles of the neck. Trigger points form in muscles when the tissue is stressed beyond it’s capacity. This damages the contractile mechanism In the muscle fibers and causes trigger points to form. These knots in the muscles will cause pain, refered pain, stiffness, and weakness. Trigger points in the neck muscles will refer pain into the head and face causing headaches and migraine pain.
During a whiplash injury the soft tissue in both the front and back of the neck can get damaged. When this happens trigger points will form in the muscles. These points will produce pain, refered pain, as well as stiffness and weakness. Trigger points in the neck muscles quite often refer pain into the head causing headaches and migraine pain. These points don’t resolve with stretching or rehabilitation exercises, they must be specifically released with a technique such as trigger point massage therapy.
Aberdeen Chiropractic 