Herniated lumbar discs, although considered common, can be very debilitating and disabling. While it may be impossible to prevent disc herniations, understanding the mechanism of injury and implementing that knowledge can cut the odds of developing this unpleasant injury. A range of factors may promote lumbar disc damage or injury. The mechanism of injury for herniated discs often involves flexion, compression and twisting of the lumbar spine.
Mechanism of Injury: Herniated Discs
The lumbar spine’s discs are specialized connective tissue structures which function as shock absorbers between the spinal bones or vertebrae of the spine. Intervertebral discs are springy in nature due to a moist, jelly-like center portion known as the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus is contained and surrounded by a more layered, fibrous tissue that makes up what is known as the annulus fibrosis. Herniated discs or ruptured discs occur when harm to the annulus fibrosis causes the nucleus pulposus material to escape its boundaries and protrude outward in the disc.
Flexion
Where lumbar disc herniations occur regularly in a normal setting, these aren’t easily reproduced in a research setting. It is notable that in scientific research studies, where disc herniations were created in animal or human lumbar spine specimens, most demanded a small amount of spine flexion. Because of this, Stuart McGill, Ph.D., author of the book “Low Back Disorders,” concludes that repeated or prolonged spine flexion will be the primary mechanism leading to lumbar disc herniation. In a lab setting, McGill and other scientific doctors found that the way they could produce herniated disc injuries was to place weight, or a weight, onto the spine while bending into flexion. These circumstances are consistent with what could happen with repetitive lifting activities where the spine is flexed forward.
Compression
A research presented in 2001 in the journal “Clinical Biomechanics” demonstrated a link between compression of the spinal joints, technically known as vertical loading, and disc herniation. Even though the analysis used spinal sections taken from the necks of pigs, the researchers tried to replicate loading patterns common to the lumbar spines of humans. In the scientific study, severe and more frequent cases of herniated discs resulted when compression forces on the spinal bones had been increased. However, compression forces were essential to cause damage or injury such as disc herniations, that were subjected to repetitions of forward and backward bending. The authors reasoned that flexion and extension moves likely play a larger part than compression alone in inducing disc herniations. To put it differently, the spine can resist compression forces, such as lifting, when in a vertical position. Including a load whilst bending forward and backward though, may quickly spell difficulty for the individual.
Twisting
Another study published in 2010 in “Cinical Biomechanics” analyzed the role of axial torque, or twisting, in disc herniation. Using an animal model, the researchers discovered that disc herniation was not caused by twisting that was isolated. However, twisting did damage the annulus fibrosis. With damage to the annulus, the discs were more vulnerable to rupture or herniation when subjected to flexion movements. This implies that if the mechanism of injury of a disc herniation is flexion, these may be contributed to by damage brought on by twisting weakened discs.
Occupational Factors
A study published in 1987 in the “Journal of Chronic Diseases” examined the risk of lumbar herniated discs associated with occupation. The researchers noted that the risk for this condition is greater among men in blue-collar jobs in contrast to those in white collar jobs. This relates to increased lifting and bending activities among blue-collar workers when compared with white-collar employees. The writers noted less variation by occupational groups among women. The risk of lumbar disc herniations, however, was greater among women who described their work as strenuous. An additional finding that may relate to the spinal flexion mechanism of injury is that the risk of lumbar disc herniations is high among individuals whose work entails driving an automobile. Sitting while driving places the lumbar spine in a sustained posture of slight flexion.
Diagnosis for Herniated Discs
Lower back pain and symptoms associated with sciatica, are common manifestations resulting from lumbar spine disc herniation. Healthcare professionals, including chiropractors who specialize in sciatica, can help diagnose herniated discs as well as help determine the source of the individual’s symptoms. A spine specialist may provide the patient with or direct them to a clinic to have x-rays, MRI’s or CT scans to properly determine the presence of a herniated disc. Seeking immediate medical attention is essential towards the patient’s recovery.
MRI of a Lumbar Herniated Disc
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Lower back pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among the general population. Sciatica, is well-known group of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness and tingling sensations, which often describe the source of an individual’s lumbar spine issues. Sciatica can be due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions, such as spinal misalignment, or subluxation, disc herniation and even spinal degeneration.
Sometimes called a ruptured or slipped disc, your lower back pain often occurs due to a herniated disc in the lumbar spine. In fact, it’s one of the most common causes of low back pain, in addition to sciatica.
Between 60 and 80 percent of people will experience back pain at least once throughout their lifetime. A high proportion of these individuals will have low back and leg pain brought on by a herniated disc.
Most people feel better with just a few weeks or months of non-surgical treatment though a disc can sometimes be very debilitating. Surgical therapy can also help alleviate discomfort and disc pain if symptoms are not resolved.
Nonsurgical Treatment of Herniated Discs
After the first injury, the doctor may recommend cold treatment and drugs.
During the first 24 to 48 hours, cold treatment helps to reduce pain by decreasing blood flow, muscle soreness, and swelling. Never use ice or cold directly to skin; instead wrap item or the ice pack in a towel and then apply for more than 15 minutes.
Medications may include an anti-inflammatory to lessen swelling, a muscle relaxant to calm anxiety, and a pain-killer to relieve intense but alleviate pain (severe pain).
Mild to moderate pain may be treated with anti inflammatory anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These work by relieving pain and swelling.
Please discuss use with your physician.
Usually heat treatment can be applied. Blood circulation increases to heat and relax soft tissues. Higher blood flow will help to flush out toxins that may accumulate in tissues as a consequence of muscle spasm and intervertebral disc injury. Never use heat directly to skin ( just like chilly); rather, wrap the heat source in a thick towel for no longer than 20 minutes.
Spinal Injection
Leg weakness is developing, or if leg pain is intense, the doctor may prescribe an anabolic steroid injection. Anti-inflammatory medication is put by an epidural steroid injection into the space near the nerves on your lumbar spine. Before beginning this therapy you need to discuss this option with your doctor and ask.
Physical Therapy
The doctor may recommend physical therapy. The doctor’s orders are transmitted to the physical therapist by prescription. Physical treatment includes a mixture of treatments to reduce pain and improve flexibility. Heat and ice therapy stretching, and grip are a few examples, but your therapist may work together to develop the best treatment plan for the pain and symptoms.
Surgical Treatment of a Lumbar Herniated Disc
If symptoms does not relieve spine surgery is known as. Persistent pain, leg fatigue, or lack of function requires additional evaluation. Rarely, does a lumbar herniated disc cause bowel/bladder incontinence or groin/genital numbness, which demands immediate medical attention.
In case surgery is recommended, constantly ask what outcomes you can expect and the goal of the surgery. You have to understand all details of what’s being advocated, and do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Surgery is a big decision, so you odn’t wish to rush in to it.
To alleviate nerve pressure and leg pain, surgery generally involves a discectomy (elimination of all or part of the intervertebral disc).
In addition, by removing some of the bone covering the nerve the surgeon may need to access the herniated disc. This procedure is called a laminotomy.
These processes can be done using minimally invasive methods. Minimally invasive spine surgery doesn’t require large incisions, but instead uses apparatus like endoscope and a microscope during the surgery and tiny specialized instruments and cuts.
Can You Prevent a Lumbar Herniated Disc?
Earlier we advised you that a cause of a lumbar disc is aging, and that can’t be avoided by us. Does that mean that you can not do anything to prevent a lumbar herniated disc?
Of course not. There are numerous factors which are also to take care of your spine, and within your hands, observe your posture, do not smoke, make healthy food choices, exercise, and use body mechanics, especially whenever you’re lifting something.
They’re usually healthy actions you can take to try and prevent lower back pain, although doing all of those things won’t ensure that you never get a lumbar herniated disc.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Lower back pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among the general population. Sciatica, is well-known group of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness and tingling sensations, which often describe the source of an individual’s lumbar spine issues. Sciatica can be due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions, such as spinal misalignment, or subluxation, disc herniation and even spinal degeneration.
A common cause of lower leg and back pain is a ruptured disc or herniated disc. Symptoms of a herniated disc may include muscle spasm or cramping sharp or dull pain, sciatica, and leg weakness or loss of leg work. Sneezing, coughing, or bending intensify the pain.
Rarely, bowel or bladder control is lost, and when this happens, seek medical attention at once.
Sciatica is a symptom often associated with a lumbar herniated disc. Stress on one or several nerves that contribute to the sciatic nerve can lead to pain, burning, tingling, and numbness that extends from the buttocks into the leg and into the foot. Normally one side (left or right) is affected.
Anatomy of Lumbar Spine Discs
First, a brief overview of spinal anatomy so that you can better understand the way the lumbar herniated disc may lead to lower back pain and leg pain.
In between each of the 5 lumbar vertebrae (bones) is a disc, a tough, fibrous shock-absorbing pad. Endplates line the endings of every vertebra and help hold discs in place. Every disc includes a tire-like outer ring (annulus fibrosus) that encases a gel-like material (nucleus pulposus).
Disc herniation occurs when the annulus fibrous breaks open or cracks, permitting the nucleus pulposus to escape. Though you may have heard it be called a ruptured disc or even a bulging disc, this is called a herniated nucleus pulposus or herniated disc.
When a disc herniates, it can press on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. All along your spine, nerves are branching off from the spinal cord and travelling to various parts of your body. The nerves pass through small passageways between the vertebrae and discs, so if a herniated disc presses into that passageway, it can compress (or “pinch”) the nerve. This can result in the pain associated with herniated discs. (In the case below, you can observe a close-up look at a herniated disc pressing on a spinal nerve.)
Lumbar Herniated Disc Risk Factors
Many factors can increase the risk for disc herniation, including:
Lifestyle choices like tobacco use, lack of regular exercise, and insufficient nourishment significantly contribute to inadequate disc health.
As the body ages, natural chemical modifications cause discs to slowly dry out, which can impact disc strength and resiliency. To put it differently, the aging process can make your discs less capable of absorbing the shock from the body’s movements, which is one of their most important jobs.
Poor posture combined with the habitual use of incorrect body mechanics stresses the lumbar spine and influences its usual ability to take the bulk of the body’s weight.
Combine these factors with the eeffects from daily wear and tear, injury, incorrect lifting, or twisting and it is simple to comprehend why a disc may herniate. For example, lifting something incorrectly may lead to disc pressure.
Disc Herniation Phases
A herniation may develop suddenly or slowly over weeks or months. The four phases to a herniated disc are:
1) Disc Degeneration: Chemical modifications related to aging causes discs to weaken, but with no herniation.
2) Prolapse: The form or position of the disc changes with a few small impingement into the spinal canal and/or spinal nerves. This stage is also referred to as a bulging disc or a disc that was protruding.
3) Extrusion: The gel-like nucleus pulposus breaks through the tire-like wall (annulus fibrosus) but remains within the disc.
4) Sequestration or Sequestered Disc: The nucleus pulposus fractures throughout the annulus fibrosus and can then go outside the intervertebral disc.
Lumbar Herniated Disc Diagnosis
Lately, not every herniated disc causes symptoms. Some people discover they have a ruptured disc or herniated disc after an x-ray for an unrelated reason.
Most of the time, the symptoms, notably the pain, prompt the patient to seek medical attention. The trip with the doctor includes a physical exam and neurological exam. He or she will examine your medical history, and inquire about what remedies you have tried for pain relief and what symptoms you’ve experienced.
An x-ray may be needed to rule out other causes of back pain like osteoarthritis (spondylosis) or spondylolisthesis. A CT or MRI scan verifies the extent and location of disc damage.These imaging tests can show the soft tissues (including the disc).
Sometimes a myelogram is essential. In that evaluation, you will receive an injection of a dye; the dye will appear on a CT scan, so allowing your physician to readily see problem areas.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Lower back pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among the general population. Sciatica, is well-known group of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness and tingling sensations, which often describe the source of an individual’s lumbar spine issues. Sciatica can be due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions, such as spinal misalignment, or subluxation, disc herniation and even spinal degeneration.
Various injuries can be caused by automobile crashes. One of the most frequent car accidents is the collision in which a vehicle is hit from behind. If you have been in these events you may be receiving neck pain therapy for a accident called whiplash that occurs when an occupant of this vehicle is thrust forth and back.
This injury may cause a herniated disc in the cervical (neck) area, in addition to a variety of other symptoms. A whiplash injury can include neurological impairment in mobility, joint aches, problems with concentration and chronic pain. Besides damaging the delicate tissues (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) that maintain the neck, it may also harm the cervical spine (the neck region of the backbone), inducing a herniated disc in the neck. The herniation can compress the nearby nerves, causing pain. Symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck may include tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness.
Pain from Previously Existing Conditions
In a study published in the journal Spine, doctors found that disabling pain in the back following whiplash may be due to a previously disc in the spine. These conditions may present no symptoms that are apparent before the accident. The researchers further concluded that pain was successfully treated following microdiscectomies for these discs.
Symptoms from whiplash injuries cannot be necessarily resolved with neck pain treatment, and can be tricky to diagnose since the pain lower back and even in the shoulder region can radiate to other regions of the body. It can be especially challenging for the physician when symptoms are vague and non-localized.
When the natural reactions of the body don’t operate properly, injuries occur. In the normal state, a C-shape is maintained by the cervical spine. On an S-shape as the portion extends and the upper portion of this area flexes, the individual’s cervical spine takes upon impact from behind. This phenomenon risks herniating a disc or tearing a ligament. If the human body’s protective response is working correctly, it will recognize the impact and signal the cervical muscles and make a supportive scaffold for the cervical spine and ligaments.
Although pain can heal on its own it may often require therapy. A treatment program for a herniated disc in the neck may consist of anti-inflammatory pain medication, rest, and physical therapy. With these conservative treatments, the symptoms generally improve over time. But if imaging tests find out that the damaged disc is compressing nearby nerves and/or the spinal cord, or if symptoms persist despite the treatment, neck surgery may be considered.
There are a few things you can do in order to stop whiplash injuries requiring neck pain treatment and increased risk for pain . These include maintaining fitness and good posture. You can start focusing on those goals.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
If given the opportunity, a herniated disc can occur as a consequence of trauma and can create a plethora of problematic symptoms which might become chronic pain conditions. Whiplash is most frequently associated with car collisions, but can actually happen from any injurious procedure that snaps the neck forward or back beyond its normal selection of movement.
This informative article will detail the prevalence of herniated discs related to whiplash events. We’ll investigate how whiplash occurs and how the process can enact disc injury in the cervical or upper thoracic spinal regions.
Whiplash Herniated Disc Incidents
Whiplash happens because of abrupt acceleration, or more commonly, sudden deceleration. Inertia is the force which can create harm to the spinal structures and the throat muscles at the neck and back.
The head is a really heavy weight that is supported by the slightly thinner and weaker vertebrae and intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. When inertia is applied to the entire body, the head will snap backwards or forward, causing both and typically hyperflexion or hyperextension. As it whips about causing an assortment of injurious events that are possible, including a herniated disc, this heavy weight places stress on the cervical spine.
Herniated Disc Pain and Discomfort
Whiplash typically occurs from severe trauma, such as an automobile accident, slip and fall, sports injury or act of violence. Any situation which causes the head to jolt abruptly back-and-forth, can cause whiplash.
Whiplash is a condition which sometimes occurs after an accident, but could also take some time to become apparent. The reasons for this time delay response vary, but are commonly linked to three possible causations:
First, it’s the pain relieving quality of adrenaline, which often fills the bodily systems during a crash. This can diminish the severity symptoms which might otherwise be debilitating when they occur. Second, is the psychological nocebo effect of the trauma, which could take some time to infiltrate and to come up within the subconscious mind. Finally, the secondary gain principle enacted by legal action having to do with the accident might causes time delay. It’s no coincidence that people begin to experience pain right around the time they seek professional help.
Whiplash & Herniated Disc Consequences
The vast majority of whiplash complaints are due to muscular injury, not damage to the spinal column. Neck muscle pain can be extremely severe, but is not a significant worry and should resolve with symptomatic treatment.
Extreme trauma or highly focused trauma can cause a bulging disc or even a ruptured disc in the neck or upper back. Symptoms are very likely to be painful for a number of weeks, but should resolve within 2 months, as is typical for practically any disc injury condition with the proper treatment and care.
Other less common effects of severe whiplash might incorporate a change in the natural curvature of the spine, a fractured or shattered vertebra or a torn ligament or tendon.
Whiplash Herniated Disc Guidance
A lot of men and women suffer whiplash traumas on a daily basis. These types of injuries are an inherent part of the fear we have towards spinal damage and are an integral component of litigation. Both of these factors make judging the actual degree of any whiplash neck injury complicated.
Pain is often worsened or perpetuated through psychosomatic or secondary gain factors, instead of structural anatomical problems. It is crucial, as a patient, to look past the psychological and legal implications of your injury and concentrate on your recovery.
The neck, like every other area of the human body, was made to heal, but will only do so in the event that you give it the mental and emotional support and trust it requires.
There isn’t anything more important than your health. Unfortunately, this is a lesson for those who endure a plethora of herniated disc treatments and eventual disc surgery simply to bolster a case that is legal. When the case is over, you might have some money, but is it really worth it to lose your freedom and functionality for the remainder of your life?
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
The accident-type most-associated with whiplash is being rear-ended. Let us take a glance at how this kind of accident happens. Most people think that when you could be rear ended, your head flies back. Although that is the logical way to consider the harm (it’s also how I will discuss it most of the time), it is not technically accurate.
Process of Whiplash Injury
When you are rear-ended what happens is that your body is driven out from under your head. Although there is a great deal of soft tissue stretching that occurs in the soft tissues (LIGAMENTS, TENDONS, MUSCLES, and particularly FASCIA) as your body travels forward at a significantly higher velocity than your head; at some point, these “soft tissues” cannot stretch anymore. This is the first point at which microscopic tissue tearing occurs. Realize that this is the beginning of the injury process. The body will be gradually caught up to by the head, and subsequently overshoot it at an extremely accelerated velocity, all in a fraction of a second.
The head is now accelerating forward faster than your entire body. When the body comes to a stop (i.e. your vehicle slams into whatever is in front of it), the head will continue to travel forward. This is actually where the term “whiplash” comes from, and where it occurs. It’s exactly the principle of physics that results in the tip of a bullwhip to ‘crack’ as it breaks the sound barrier. If this type of ‘whipping’ motion occurs in the neck, it can result in a great deal of soft tissue damage and subsequent formation of fibrosis and scar tissue. Additionally, it may lead to a great deal of occult (hidden) brain and nerve system trauma.
When tissue tears, it ordinarily doesn’t tear like we think of things tearing, in half. As a matter of fact, when you take a look at pulled muscles, these are actually pulled, over-stretched, or microscopically torn fascia. Fascia is the thin membrane that tightly surrounds the muscle. Fascial tearing and the subsequent fascial adhesions present a double-edged sword as far as chronic pain is concerned.
Surround your neck with too much scar tissue, and there is no way your neck will move normally as it did before the motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, degeneration is caused by abnormal motion, and abnormal joint motion is caused by degeneration. Repeat ad infinitum. Whether or not this cycle was launched by an MVA is immaterial at this stage. The process leads to chronic pain. People who are living inside of this vicious cycle know. Same evaluations, same results. If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident and are experiencing neck pain or other symptoms due to suspected cervical spine damage or injury, seek immediate medical attention.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
Each year in america there are between 6.5 million and 7 million MVA’s affecting many individuals. Of those accidents, about three million involve some kind of bodily injury. About two thirds of these injuries, while not debilitating, are permanent. This means that if you play the odds, you’ll be during the course of your lifetime in 4 or 5 car accidents. They are undoubtedly the major cause although MVA’s are certainly not the sole cause of injuries, such as whiplash.
What is the significant whiplash sign we look for as far as imaging is concerned? A simple neutral lateral x-ray of the cervical spine is about as good as anything to demonstrate the extent of damage or injury.
When an individual experiences whiplash, their fascia is often damaged or injured as their head slams backwards. Sooner or later the individual begins to get neck pain, headaches, and a loss of range of motion in their neck. The problem is that a Fascial Adhesion in the SCM may be pulling on their neck. A restriction (Fascial Adhesion) in the SCM is going to pull the head forward.
Normal Cervical Curves
Although you should not have spinal curves that run from 1 side of your body to the other (Scoliosis), it’s absolutely crucial to have the proper spinal curves that run from front to back. The normal front-to-back curve in your neck, should be the same as the front-to-back curve in your low back (lordosis) — the opposite of the curve in your mid back (kyphosis). Normal curves allow for normal motion, they act as shock absorbers. Think for a moment about it. A normal curve will dissipate much of the force, spreading it out like a spring when you walk down the sidewalk.
Abnormal Cervical Curves
Abnormal curves of the cervical spine (neck) come in two forms. You have the loss of cervical lordosis. This is the “Military Neck” you see in the first x-ray. Secondly, you get a complete reversal of the lordotic curve (second x-ray). These are some of the steps on the road to Degenerative Arthritis.
For those of you understanding the nature whiplash injury and the NEW MODEL of Repair and Tissue Healing, this picture of the PLATYSMA MUSCLE should help. The Platysma is a thin muscle that covers the entire front portion of the neck. It is likewise covered in Fascia. This is just one more piece of the puzzle so far as explaining the Chronic Pain people struggle with after a whiplash injury — by imaging which is always negative, pain that is not explained. And like SCM Muscles that are injured, it helps to explain the cervical curves. It pulls, as it restricts, and as it pulls, the head will come. Think that Forward Head Posture is no big deal? THINK AGAIN.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
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