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The reaction after whiplash: what can you do?

Have you ever been in a car accident? During the average lifetime, there is a very good chance that you or someone you know will experience such an unfortunate event. Statistics show that during their lifetime, one in four people will have a car accident. After a crash with a fender, whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you can take a pain reliever or two and maybe do some physical therapy. Then when you feel better, you may never think about it again. But what if the symptoms persist? Or, even worse, if you don’t have symptoms, can an accident come back to haunt you?

What is whiplash”?

The non-medical term whiplash was first used in 1928. Although more precise terms such as acceleration flexion-extension injury of the neck or soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury have sometimes replaced it, “whiplash” continues to be used commonly for this type of soft tissue. neck injury Whiplash injury specialist Dr. Arthur Croft estimates that up to 3 million whiplash injuries occur each year in the United States, and that one in three people will suffer from the condition.

A whiplash injury is a sudden strain or trauma that affects the bones, discs, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons of the neck, an area of ​​the body that involves seven vertebrae and is known as the cervical region. Harmful jerks back and forth or even to the sides of the head and neck are caused not only by car accidents, but also by contact sports, various amusement park rides, falls, and assaults. Statistically, motor vehicle collisions, contact sports, and amusement park rides are the top three causes.

Various symptoms are associated with whiplash injury, including but not limited to neck and back pain, nausea, numbness, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, vertigo (loss of balance), swelling, hearing impairment, headaches, visual disturbances , fracture and paralysis. Occasionally, there are no symptoms initially, only appearing days, weeks, or even years after the injury. The consequences of whiplash range from mild pain for a few days (the most common result) to severe disability caused by restricted movement of the head or cervical spine, sometimes with persistent pain. It is likely that between 40% and 50% of people with whiplash injuries experience permanent pain.

Treatment of the injury

After an accident, it’s important to get checked out right away, either in an emergency room or by your chiropractor. As long as a fracture has not occurred, a chiropractor may perform an examination beginning with obtaining a detailed history, followed by orthopedic and neurological testing, a range of motion test, checking posture and palpation, and x-rays to see the extent of the fracture. of damage or change. in the spine. The neck should be perfectly straight on an x-ray, and your chiropractor will be able to identify any misalignment (subluxation). In a side view, the neck should show the arc of a circle. Loss of cervical curve, which is common in physical impact, can cause any of the whiplash symptoms listed above.

Whiplash treatment includes passive and active exercises, gentle massage, chiropractic, therapeutic massage, spinal and extremity adjustments, as well as therapies such as traction to correct spinal posture, electrical stimulation to relax muscle spasms, stretching and ice. Ice application immediately after most whiplash injuries helps reduce inflammation and swelling. Each application should be kept for 10 to 20 minutes every hour. After 24 hours, it is recommended to alternate between ice and heat, up to 20 minutes per treatment. Ice or ice pack should be wrapped in a towel before use. To sleep, the patient can roll up a towel and place it under the neck while lying on their back so that the back of the skull rests on the bed, a position that promotes healing of the lesion.

Chiropractic preferred

Many studies have shown that chiropractic and acupuncture are more effective than drugs for treating injuries sustained in car accidents. According to the Insurance Research Council, “Nearly one-third of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA) seek treatment from physicians of chiropractic.” This is an impressive number when you consider that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined that there are more than 12 million MVAs a year involving more than 20 million vehicles.

In a related study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers demonstrated that “treatment of facet joints [which link the bones in the spine] it not only relieved severe neck pain, but also resolved the psychological disorders associated with car accidents.” According to another study published in Dr. Stephen Foreman and Dr. Arthur Croft’s book, Whiplash Injuries: The Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome, 3rd Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001), a recent comparison of medicine, acupuncture, and chiropractic care in a randomized trial reported that “comparison of drugs (Celebrex, Vioxx, or acetaminophen [acetaminophen]) to acupuncture and spinal manipulation over the course of 9 weeks in people with chronic spinal pain (including neck to low back pain), the authors demonstrated a fairly profound superiority for chiropractic spinal manipulation.”

Many people choose chiropractic care for treatment due to its advantage in improving soft tissue (ie ligaments, muscles, tissue) injuries, especially of the spine. Since the injuries associated with auto accidents are often sprains and strains of the muscles of the spine and its associated ligaments, it is natural that chiropractic is the treatment of choice.

Prevention of further injuries

Several proactive factors can help prevent whiplash injuries from occurring or worsening while driving. In addition to the obvious steps to avoid distractions in the first place, like not using a cell phone to call or text, using a full lap restraint system is a must. Drivers and passengers should place the headrests in the middle of the back of the skull and try to keep their head on the headrest while the car is moving. Looking ahead and checking your rear view mirrors frequently is also crucial for the driver.

Because some whiplash injuries have effects that last for years, if a whiplash accident occurs, prompt care is critical. Seeking good medical and chiropractic care without delay can help prevent further injury from developing and avoid the need for surgery.

Dr. Chad Laurence is one of fewer than 400 physicians worldwide to have been recognized as a Distinguished Fellow in Clinical Postural Biomechanics. His practice focuses on structural correction of the spine, nutrition, massage therapy, acupuncture, family care and pediatrics, as well as support after personal injuries and auto accidents. Dr. Laurence can help relieve symptoms for people with a variety of physical problems, including neck and lower back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, limb problems, and arthritis.

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