Whiplash is a common injury, affecting about 2 million individuals in the United States annually. Ordinarily a consequence of an automobile accident, whiplash may also result from falling, participating in sports, or from other causes, including being shaken or hit.
Whiplash is the common term for a neck sprain or strain resulting from hyperextension (see picture below) and hyperflexion (see image below). It often doesn’t cause symptoms that are immediate: in fact, it could grow over time. Since whiplash may cause long lasting effects on the spinal column, it is essential to determine your doctor for those who have been injured, even in the event you don�t have pain immediately later.
The cervical spine (neck) is a complex structure composed of vertebrae (spinal bones), intervertebral discs (act as shock absorbers), muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The neck is is flexible and may transfer it different ways (nod, rotate) while supporting the entire weight of the head. However, that flexibility can make the neck exposed to injury. Within a whiplash event, your neck goes quickly and powerfully forward and backward. Pain can continue even following the injury itself has recovered.
Whiplash can lead to possibly high medical expenses, reduced productivity, and temporary impairment.
Symptoms of Whiplash
The primary complaint of a person who has whiplash is neck and upper back pain. Other symptoms may include:
Tenderness
Stiffness
Pain in the arm and shoulder that may radiate down into the hand(s).
Paresthesias (like numbness or tingling) and weakness that will extend into the hand(s).
Headache
You might even experience dizziness, nausea, ringing in the ears, fatigue, jaw pain, or blurred vision.
Causes of Whiplash
The most common reason for whiplash is an automobile accident when the man�s vehicle (typically stopped) is rear-ended by another car or truck. As a consequence of the impact, the cervical back�s lower vertebrae of the neck are forced into a position that is hyperextended, while the upper vertebrae are bend, resulting in an unusual S shaped curve. This chain of events often damages the soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles) of the neck.
Understanding Whiplash
Your doctor carefully reviews your medical history and performs a physical and neurological examination. Since xrays don�t reveal injuries to soft tissues, a CT (computerized tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be performed.
What are the Treatments for Whiplash?
Treatment depends upon degree and the severity of the whiplash, and thought is provided to general health and your age. Initial treatment may include:
Short-term rest (a day or two)
Ice, for two* or the very first day; then alternative heat and ice
Gentle range-of-motion exercises
Anti inflammatory medications (over the counter or prescription)
Muscle relaxants
*When using ice, make sure that the cold source is wrapped in a towel to protect the skin place. Don’t apply ice.
If your pain does not go away within a fair period of time, or when it is serious, your physician may recommend trigger point injections, physical therapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and/or use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device.
Soft collars, although once widely used for whiplash, are not used so frequently since the muscles can be weakened by immobilizing the neck to get a long time and delay healing.
Operation is seldom warranted by whiplash. If your pain persists even once you have gotten nonsurgical treatment, surgery may be recommended by your healthcare provider, depending on how severe the harm is and what constructions have been injured. It’s important to understand that risks are consistently carried by surgery. Therefore, you need to truly have a comprehensive talk with your doctor.
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: Neck Pain and Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can often cause whiplash, a common type of neck injury resulting from the sudden, back-and-forth motion of the head against the body due to a car wreck, or other incident. Because of this, many of the complex structures found within the neck, including the spine, ligaments and muscles, can be stretched beyond their normal range, causing injury and painful symptoms.
Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez gives insights into the most common questions about whiplash.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash, although not technically a medical term, can be quite painful and is quite serious. We call it whiplash because, within an accident, your neck actually can whip back and forth�first backward (hyperextension) and then forwards (hyperflexion). Doctors call whiplash a neck sprain or strain. Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of your neck and upper back that occurs when ligaments and your muscles get overstretched in the strength of an accident.
What Causes Whiplash?
The most common source of whiplash is car accidents. Nonetheless, you can even get whiplash from a sports injury or a fall. It’s also possible to get whiplash when you are hit or shaken.
What Are Some Non-Surgical Ways To Take Care Of Whiplash?
Time is just one of the greatest non surgical treatment options for whiplash. Most instances of whiplash recover by themselves to some months in several weeks. Your doctor may also indicate: wearing a cervical collar, cervical traction, chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy, and pain drugs as you heal.
Will I Need Surgery?
Patients with whiplash quite, very rarely need surgery. If, nevertheless, you’ve been through wide-ranging non-operative treatments and also you have pain, surgery may be considered by you. There are several kinds of surgery useful for whiplash
Corpectomy:
Sometimes whiplash induces the spinal canal to narrow because of how a soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) and bones moved throughout the first injury. By removing area of the vertebra and the intervertebral disc using a corpectomy, the surgeon is wanting to make more room in your spinal canal.
Discectomy:
The surgeon will remove section of the intervertebral disc, which may be pressing on your own spinal cord or alternative nerves and causing pain. Sometimes, the surgeon will have to do a spinal fusion at the same time as the discectomy. The fusion plans to permanently stabilize that region of your spine, although not everyone who has a discectomy will need a fusion.
Foraminotomy:
As with a corpectomy, a surgeon uses a foraminotomy to make more room for your nerves that could have gotten pinched and compressed throughout the harm. In this process, the foramina (the place where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal) is removed to boost the size of the nerve pathway.
Cycling is on the rise. Bike shares�are popping up in cities across the country. An increasing number of workers are commuting�on two wheels. And�more folks are pedaling for fresh air and fitness. The number one concern among all of them? Traffic�specifically staying safe when navigating streets busy with cars.
The good news is that a few bits of bike safety knowledge go a long way in keeping you out of harm�s way. Here�s how to avoid common causes of car-bike collisions.
Bike & Rider Visible
When a driver hits a cyclist, the first words out of his mouths are inevitably, �I didn�t see her!� Though the onus is on drivers�to be aware of their surroundings, you can take a few easy steps to make them aware that you�re there. This is especially important in low-light conditions, when accidents are most common. Stats show serious accidents happen most often between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Get daytime running lights. The latest trend in cycling is to run daytime running lights�white in the front and red in the rear�just like motorcycles and many cars. Portable, rechargeable lights like Bontrager�s Ion 100 are intense enough that cars can see you from nearly a quarter mile away.�They also have a flashing mode, which gets the attention of distracted drivers. One study found that the incidence rate of bicycle accidents with personal injury to the rider was 19%�lower for riders using permanent running lights.�Well worth the 40 bucks they cost!
Wear reflective clothing.�It�s easy to blend in with the surroundings when you�re pedaling a skinny bike along the roadside. Create a contrast by wearing �hi-viz� clothing or accent pieces like vests, a helmet, and gloves that make you easier to see. Research shows it can lower your risk of run-ins with cars by 40%. When the light is dim, wear cycling-specific reflective accessories.
Be Predictable
Follow the rules of the road. Flow with (never against) traffic. Obey street signs, traffic signals, and road markings. Hold a straight line as much as possible (obviously skirting around obstacles like potholes and storm grates) and avoid weaving in and out of parked cars. Signal your intentions to turn�simply put your arm out and point�so cars know which direction you�re going.
Mind The Intersections
The majority of accidents happen in intersections. The most common scenario is a car turning right turns into you without seeing you. Other common scenarios include an oncoming car turns left into you as you�re going straight. Or a car simply pulls out into the intersection directly in front or into you. To avoid these, you can do the following:
Ride further left. Riders often hug the edge of the road as far right as possible. But in traffic, especially when you�re moving about the same rate of speed as the cars, it�s safer to move into the lane where you are fully visible. Riding in the lane is also smart when the road is simply too narrow for cars to pass you at a safe distance.
Stay out of the blind spot. When coming to a stop at a traffic light or stop sign, avoid stopping right next to the car to your left. The driver�can�t see you and may turn right into you. Stop behind the car�so you can see its blinkers. If the driver fails to use her blinkers, you’ll also be able to see the car turning before it turns into you.
Be cautious passing on the right. When you�re riding to the right of traffic, especially if you�re in a bike lane, you will likely find yourself occasionally passing cars on the right hand side, especially when traffic is slow. It�s best to avoid passing on the right. But if you do, be vigilant and keep your eye out for intersections, driveways, parking lots, and other places cars may be turning right (or crossing traffic and making a left from the opposite direction), so a driver doesn’t�inadvertently turn right into or in front of you.
Make eye contact. When at an intersection with cars coming in from either side, make eye contact with the drivers to be sure they see you before pulling into the intersection. If they don�t appear to see you, wave an arm to get their attention. (Lights help a lot here, too.)
Check our our sister site: Biking Experts to learn more…
Give Yourself A Door Buffer
When riding past parked cars on your right, give yourself ample space to avoid being �doored� by someone opening their car door into traffic. It helps to keep an eye on side view mirrors, as well, since you can see cars that are occupied, where someone may step out without looking.
For the second straight year, U.S. pedestrian deaths are setting alarming new records. The number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roads rose a projected 11 percent between 2015 and 2016, the largest year-to-year increase on record, according to a new Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report.
During the first six months of 2016, preliminary data show 2,660 pedestrian deaths nationwide, compared to 2,486 for the same period during 2015. The year-long projection is based on those numbers. The report also projects a 22 percent rise in pedestrian deaths from 2014. Both estimates are sharply higher than the 9 percent increase in pedestrian deaths between 2014 and 2015.
“This is the second year in a row that we have seen unprecedented increases in pedestrian fatalities, which is both sad and alarming,” said report author Richard Retting, who’s with Sam Schwartz Transportation Consultants.
“It is critical that the highway safety community understand these disturbing statistics and work to aggressively implement effective countermeasures,” he added in a GHSA news release.
Pedestrian Risks and Automobile Accidents
Pedestrians account for about 15 percent of U.S. road deaths. In the first six months of 2016, the number of pedestrian deaths rose in 34 states, fell in 15 states and in the District of Columbia, and remained the same in one state. The report cited several possible reasons for the spike. They include Americans driving more due to lower gas prices; more people choosing to walk for health, transportation, economic or environmental reasons; and widespread use of smartphones, a distraction for walkers and drivers alike.
“Everyone walks, and we want to encourage that, but at the same time we want to make sure that we all get to our destinations safely,” GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said.
“Unfortunately, this latest data shows that the U.S. is not meeting the mark on keeping pedestrians safe on our roadways. Every one of these lives represents a loved one not coming home tonight, which is absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
One doctors’ group added that prevention — keeping your eyes and ears on your surroundings — is key.
“Today’s projected pedestrian fatalities — the highest ever recorded — are an urgent wake-up call that we need to work harder at consistently focusing on where and how we are walking,” said Dr. Alan Hilibrand. He’s a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“Pedestrians need to be mindful of their surroundings,” while walking, Hilibrand said. “Walking while looking at your phone or an electronic device can result in sprains, broken bones, and other serious, even fatal, injuries.”
SOURCES: Governors Highway Safety Association, news release, March 30, 2017; March 30, 2017, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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 .
Brain injuries are common complications in our modern world. Approximately 2 million individuals experience a head injury in the United States alone each year. Although most brain or head injuries are not considered life threatening, they could sum up to billions of dollars in annual revenue. Brain injuries are often categorized according to patient response. Only 1 out of 4 reported brain injuries are considered moderate or severe.
Whiplash is�a common injury, annually affecting about 2 million individuals within the U.S. Generally due to a car accident, whiplash also can be a consequence of falling, engaging in sports &�being shaken or punched.
Whiplash may be the common term�for�neck damage or stress caused by hyperextension (see image below) and hyperflexion (see image below). It frequently does not cause immediate symptoms: over-time, it might produce actually. Since whiplash could cause long-lasting results to the back, it is vital that you see your physician if you have been injured, even if you don�t have pain.
The cervical spine (throat) is really a sophisticated structure consists of vertebrae (spinal bones), intervertebral disks (behave as shock absorbers), muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The throat is is flexible and will move it different guidelines (jerk, swivel) while supporting the total weight of the head. However, that mobility can make the throat at risk of injury. Throughout a whiplash event, your throat goes swiftly and vigorously backward and forward. Pain can continue despite the injury itself has healed.
Whiplash can result in reduced productivity, temporary impairment, and perhaps substantial medical expenses.
Not Just Pain In The Neck
A person with whiplash’s chief criticism is upper back pain or neck pain. Other symptoms may include:
Pain
Stiffness
Pain within the arm and/or shoulder that may expand to the hand(s).
Paresthesias (including numbness or tingling) and/or weakness that’ll expand into the hand(s).
Headache
You might possibly experience dizziness, nausea, ringing�in the ears, weakness, jaw pain, and blurred vision.
A Condition With�An Impact
The most frequent cause of whiplash is definitely a car accident in which the person�s vehicle (often stopped) is rear-ended by another car or truck. Because of this, the neck’s bones are forced�into a hyperextended position, while the upper vertebrae are hyperflexed, leading to an unusual S-shaped curve. This cycle typically damages the delicate tissues (structures, tendons, muscles) of the neck.
How Do I Realize I Have Whiplash?
Your doctor works a neurological and physical exam and carefully reviews your medical history. Because x rays don�t show injuries to delicate tissues, a CT (computerized tomography) scan or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) could be executed.
What Does Treatment Involve?
Treatment is determined by the extent and level of the whiplash, and factor is given to general health and your age. Initial therapy can include:
Short term rest (a day or two)
Ice, for first day or two; then alternate ice and temperature
Gentle�range-of-motion exercises
Anti-inflammatory drugs (over-the-counter or prescription)
Muscle relaxants
*When using ice, make certain the cool source is draped in a towel to safeguard your skin area. Don’t apply ice for longer than 15 minutes at a time.
If your pain does not disappear inside a reasonable timeframe, or when it is serious, your doctor may recommend trigger-point injections, physical treatment, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and/or use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device.
Soft�collars, although once trusted for whiplash, are not employed so frequently anymore, since by immobilizing the neck, the muscles can weaken and delay recovery.
Surgery is rarely warranted by whiplash. If your pain persists even after you’ve undergone nonsurgical treatment, your doctor might advise surgery, according to what structures have already been injured and how serious the harm is. It is vital that you understand the risks carried with surgery. Thus, you should have a thorough conversation with your doctor.
Call Today!
Sources
Whiplash. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/disorders-situations/whiplash/basics/meaning/con-20033090.
Does Neck Curvature Protect You In a Car Accident?
Does the curvature of your cervical spine play a determinant in the severity of injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident?
We asked Chiropractic Biophysics, Dr. Deed Harrison to comment on this subject matter.
Unfortunately, many people can relate to having been involved in a car crash or motor vehicle collision (MVC) at some point in their lives. Whether it was a major accident or a minor one, MVC�s are no fun and can cause a variety of minor to serious injuries to those persons in the vehicles. These injuries are commonly and collectively referred to as �Whiplash Injuries�. The financial implications of a MVC, as well as interruption of your daily routine due to whiplash are also other major detriments of car crashes that may take years to recover from.
With more distracted drivers texting and speaking on their phones, MVC�s are on the rise, making for much more dangerous roadways. While we cannot control other people�s behaviors, we can certainly drive more cautiously and defensively to hopefully avoid being in a car accident. Unfortunately, MVC�s do happen despite our best efforts, so being prepared and having a plan in mind is key to recovering quickly and getting back on our feet again.
More serious car accidents mean more serious injuries, ranging from cuts and bruise to broken bones, brain damage, and even death. At first, less serious MVC�s however, may not seem like a big deal, with victims often walking away without a scratch, believing they have escaped the crash unscathed. Others may only complain of a slight headache, neck pain, stiff or kinked neck while resorting to taking over the counter pain killers, or wearing a neck brace to assist with their recovery � something that is far from addressing the true cause of the injury.
What most lay people (and even many physicians) don�t realize is the extent to which the CERVICAL LORDOIS (curvature in your neck from the side) plays a role in both: 1) the extent of the initial injury to the occupant(s) and 2) the long term pain and suffering from whiplash injury to the occupants. Furthermore, the MVC itself will damage the cervical lordosis.
1. Concerning the extent of initial injury, researchers have found that having a well preserved cervical lordosis actually prevents neck tissue damage to the sensitive cervical spine ligaments.1 In the figure at the top, the right hand image demonstrates what a normal cervical curve looks like when viewed from the side and the person facing to the right. In contrast, the same researchers identified that straightened cervical curves and worse yet, reversed (kyphotic) cervical curves predisposed to more severe cervical spine tissue injuries due to more extreme forces acting on the neck during the exact same MVC circumstances. The x-rays above at the far left and the middle show abnormal neck curves where more severe injury to the person is likely to result should they be involved in an MVC.
Thus, if you already have an abnormal cervical curvature prior to any MVC, it is in your best interest to rehabilitate the shape and amount of your cervical lordosis. If you do not, you�re at a higher risk of having more serious injuries should you be involved in a MVC.
2. In terms of long term pain and suffering, several research studies have identified that the patients who experience long term whiplash injuries and suffering are in fact the ones that have abnormal cervical lordosis. Straightened, S-curves, and Reversed cervical curvatures have been found to pre-dispose to the following conditions after MVC.
� Neck pain and stiffness,
� Headaches,
� Arm pain,
� Thoracic outlet symptoms,
� Dizziness,
� Lack of concentration,
� Degenerative arthritis in the cervical spine,
� Disc herinations.
What many whiplash injured subjects don�t realize is that a slight headache or neck pain is a true sign of a much more serious injury to your cervical lordosis and underlying neck tissues. Spinal misalignments as a result of the sudden jolt of the MVC may manifest immediately, or not become evident at all for a long period of time. But this doesn�t mean the spine is healthy or that no injury was sustained.
The fact is that MVC�s statistically damage the shape of your cervical lordosis. Researchers from Chiropractic BioPhysics have identified that the average patient exposed to a MVC will lose 10 degrees of their cervical lordosis, develop a mid cervical kyphosis, and have increased forward head posture as a result of the MVC.
A misaligned cervical curvature as a result of a MVC is a serious health condition. Altered cervical curves will cause nerve interference � hindrance of critical nerve energy that is responsible for every function of our organs, and every movement of our limbs. Ignoring the cervical spinal misalignment can manifest into pain and discomfort, fatigue, sleep disorders, organ dysfunction, depression, and eventually disease.
If you have been in a minor or major car accident, please see a corrective care chiropractor immediately for a full assessment of the health of your spine, even if you don�t feel any discomfort whatsoever. A small misalignment can only get worse with time, so addressing this injury quickly can mean a faster recovery time and less health problems in the future.
Corrective methods using Chiropractic BioPhysics��or CBP� Technique extension traction procedures and devices are the only true evidence based methods that have been shown to statistically and clinically improve the amount of cervical lordosis without the use of surgery. This has been documented in several clinical trials and case reports.8-11 Other conservative methods may restore the cervical lordosis in selected cases, but these have never been proven in clinical trials and are thus, at best, hit and miss. If you are suffering from an altered cervical lordosis as a result of a MVC, use the procedures that are truly scientifically supported.
Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash
Whiplash Video
Because each individual case of whiplash is different, it is not possible to generalize about the chiropractic whiplash treatment.
The appropriate chiropractic treatment is unique to each whiplash injury and is directed at the primary dysfunctions detected during the chiropractic exam.
However, chiropractors commonly employ different chiropractic treatments for whiplash, often including:
Manipulation
Muscle relaxation and/or stimulation
Various exercises
Ergonomic and lifestyle changes.
This article explains when, why and how chiropractors may employ these whiplash treatments for neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain and other related symptoms.
Chiropractic Manipulation for Whiplash
The primary whiplash treatment for joint dysfunction, spinal manipulation involves the chiropractor gently moving the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted.
Also known as a chiropractic adjustment, spinal manipulation may involve the application of a short thrust in that direction. In many cases, instead of a thrust, a slow mobilizing movement is used by the chiropractor.
The chiropractor’s primary whiplash treatment for related muscle dysfunction, muscle relaxation and/or stimulation consist of gentle stretches to the muscle that has excessive tension or repeated contractions of the muscle that is inhibited.
If the muscle is very tight, a more vigorous stretch may be applied by the chiropractor. Gentle finger pressure techniques may be applied to trigger points to relieve the pain associated with the tight muscles.
McKenzie Exercises and Stabilization/Sensorimotor Activities
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Chiropractors may employ different types of exercises, including McKenzie exercisesand/or stabilization and sensorimotor exercises, to help treat patients with whiplash injuries.
McKenzie exercises are specifically designed to reduce disc derangement related to a whiplash injury. They consist of simple movements that are initially done in the office but make for an easy transition to self-care at home. McKenzie exercises also help the patient take an active role in his or her own recovery
Stabilization and sensorimotor exercise approaches are designed to correct faulty movement patterns in routine activities and everyday life. Such whiplash treatment trains the nervous system to better coordinate and control movement patterns, and improves the ability of the neck muscles to maintain stability of the neck.
These exercises are designed to help in a major trauma, such as a fall or whiplash during a motor vehicle accident, or in “micro trauma” from simple things such as being jostled in a crowd, playing sports or performing occupational or home jobs that require physical effort.
Chiropractic Advice on Ergonomic and Lifestyle Changes
These whiplash treatment suggestions stress improvements for performing everyday activities with minimal strain to the body. The chiropractic advice addresses factors in an individual�s work, home or recreational activities that perpetuate the dysfunctions that result from the whiplash accident.
Additionally, spine care professionals at the chiropractic clinic may teach the patient better “use of self” and, if necessary, stress reduction methods to help chiropractic problems.
Whiplash Treatment in Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic On Cervical Spine Video
The whiplash treatment plan developed by the chiropractor for each specific problem may include one or more of these approaches and may involve others as well.
See Chiropractic Manipulation for the Cervical Spine
In addition to his or her whiplash treatment plan, the doctor of chiropractic might give a referral to another health professional, such as a medical specialist, if it is deemed appropriate.
�WHIPLASH, A SOFT TISSUE INJURY TO THE NECK, is also called neck sprain or neck strain. It is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion,� according to the National Institutes of Health.1
Approximately two-thirds of people involved in motor vehicle accidents develop symptoms of whiplash. The symptoms usually do not develop until two to 48 hours after the injury. Whiplash can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries and other incidents.
Patients with whiplash injury may complain of pain and stiffness in the neck, extending into the shoulders and arms, upper back and even the upper chest. Two-thirds of patients suffer with headaches, especially at the base of the skull. Patients may also experience dizziness, difficulty swallowing, nausea and even blurred vision after injury, but these symptoms tend to resolve quickly.
According to Marshall, 45 percent to 85 percent of people who suffer a whiplash injury have the symptoms five years after the accident, and 82 percent had a straightening or reversal of their cervical curvature.2 “Many authors regard a straightening or reversal of the normally lordotic curvature to be one of the most significant changes of a whiplash injury.� 3
�The initial injury is due to damage of cervical muscles, ligaments, disks, blood vessels and nerves. The actual injury to soft tissues happens so rapidly that normal protective muscle reflexes cannot respond in time to decrease or prevent the injury,� according to a 2006 case report in the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association.3
The Diagnosis
To diagnose whiplash, a DC must first take a thorough history of the injury and the patient�s previous medical history. Pre-existing conditions, such as arthritis, may increase the severity of the whiplash. The DC should give the patient an in-depth physical examination with concentration on the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Similar to asking about whiplash injuries from motor vehicle accidents, DCs should ask the patient questions that reveal the details of a sports-related incident. DCs must ask patients with vehicular accident injuries, �Where was the impact from? Were you moving at the time? Did you have a seatbelt on? What type of seatbelt? Were you braced for impact? Did you hit anything in the vehicle?� says Dr. Alan Sokoloff, team chiropractor for the Baltimore Ravens. �You have to do the same for sport-related neck injuries, too,� he says.
Dr. Sokoloff explains that he �encounters doctors that say, �I do not treat sports injuries,� but if you are treating injuries from auto accidents and really dig into the mechanism of the injury with all of its details, it�s pretty much the same.�
Advanced Imaging
In some cases, advanced imaging may be necessary to make a proper diagnosis. A cervical CT scan is ordered if a DC suspects cervical spine trauma, such as a vertebral fracture, if the patient complains of paresthesia of the hands, if the patient is unconscious or has severe pain together with neurological deficits, explains Jerrold Simon, DC, president of the ACA Rehab Council.
�A cervical MRI is ordered when the whiplash patient complains of neck pain with radicular symptoms, such as a tingling sensation radiating down the arms or if there is suspected cervical spine trauma and the clinical findings suggest ligamentous damage. A cervical MRI may be ordered as a follow-up to normal cervical CT scan if the above symptoms are present,� says Dr. Simon.
Treatment
In treating whiplash injury, patients should be reminded to stay active, unless immobilization is necessary due to serious injury. �A cervical foam collar may be needed during the first few days following the incident if the cervical trauma is severe. However, in general, cervical collars are not recommended,� says Dr. Simon.
Immediately after the whiplash injury, Dr. Simon applies an ice compress to the posterior para-cervical spine musculature for about 10 minutes on a periodic basis. Ice compresses are generally only used for the first 48 hours after an injury.4
�A nutritional intervention for pain should include d-Phenylalanine 250 mg/day, dl-Phenylalanine 750 mg/day, L-tryptophan 3 g/day, and instruct the patient to to avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages,� he says.
In addition, chiropractic care is beneficial. A retroactive study by Woodward et al. published in Injurydemonstrated that chiropractic treatment benefited 26 of 28 patients suffering from chronic whiplash syndrome.5 Chiropractic care in this study included spinal manipulation, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and cryotherapy [ice-pack therapy].
A neck adjustment works to improve the mobility of the spine to increase range of motion, while also enhancing movement of the adjoining muscles. This will eventually eliminate pain, soreness and stiffness and allow a patient to painlessly turn and tilt the head. In addition to adjustments, a treatment plan of mobilization, massage or rehabilitative exercises may speed up the recovery process.
�Cervical rehabilitation procedures should be considered after the initial pain and inflammation have substantially subsided,� says Dr. Simon. �Then a functional capacity evaluation with focal attention to the cervical spine should be performed to assess the magnitude and degree of upper spinal functional deficiency.�
Following this test, a DC can decide if the patient should receive a treatment of isometric cervical flexion, extension and lateral flexion against resistance exercises, a proprioceptive rocker board, wobble board and/or gym ball exercises and vibration therapy.
�Every person is different, and everyone�s ability to heal is different, so how we treat patients is very individualized,� says Dr. Sokoloff. �We will use modalities initially, if indicated. We will use soft-tissue techniques, if indicated. We will usually use a chiropractic adjustment, if indicated. But the one procedure we always use is progressive rehabilitative exercises, in office and home recommendations.�
Home recommendations include proper computer and phone ergonomics, range-of-motion exercises and icing, to name a few.
�Treatment plans that do not hold the patient responsible for helping themselves cheat everyone,� says Dr. Sokoloff. �The more a patient is informed about home icing instructions, home exercise and activity of daily living modifications, the better the outcomes are for everyone.�
What many whiplash injured subjects don�t realize is that a slight headache or neck pain is a true sign of a much more serious injury to your cervical lordosis and underlying neck tissues.�Because each individual case of whiplash is different, it is not possible to generalize about the chiropractic whiplash treatment.�For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at�915-850-0900
The spine is a complex structure that consists of bone, muscle, tendons, ligaments, nerves and other tissues. Spine fitness is essential towards maintaining the body�s optimal performance as it functions to support an upright posture, provides flexibility to allow the body to bend and twist freely, and protect the spinal cord. While a healthy back can easily be taken for granted, a�back injury�or other type of complication may result in long-lasting consequences that could alter an individual�s aspect of daily life.
Unfortunately,�back injuries�are among the most common types of complications suffered after an automobile accident. Each day, thousands of individuals are involved in head-on, side-impact, and rear-end auto collisions, often leading to spinal injuries even during minor car crashes. Depending on the force of the impact, a single or multiple areas of the back may be affected. Automobile injuries can range from mild sprains and bruises to fractured vertebrae and spinal cord damage.
If you�ve had a car accident, it�s essential to take note of any symptoms of�back pain, as there are a variety of spine complications which could result after experiencing an auto collision.
Central Sensitization & Auto Injuries
Recovering From Auto Injuries
Disc Herniation
One type of spine injury among individuals who have suffered from an auto accident is a�herniated disc, or a slipped/ruptured disc. Discs are small, sponge-like structures found within the spinal column which function as cushions to separate and protect the vertebrae from the others while providing the spine with smooth flexibility. The force from an auto accident impact can damage a disc, causing it to break or deform, affecting its ability to cushion the bones of the spine.
Furthermore, a damaged disc can also place unnecessary pressure directly on the nerves surrounding it, leading to symptoms of pain, numbness and weakness on the region of the body where the affected nerve travels to.
Disc injuries to the�lower back�frequently lead to a group of symptoms commonly referred to as sciatica, which is characterized by radiating pain, numbness and tingling sensations in the leg and/or buttock on either side, or occasionally, in both sides, depending on the type of injury. The symptoms associated with sciatica can be impairing and may worsen over time if left untreated.
Auto Injury Back Pain
Spinal Cord Distress
Spinal cord injuries occur from the impact of an automobile accident. It sends a direct blow to the spine, that damages the delicate bundle of nerves within it. The spinal cord is the most important structure between the body and the brain. It is a vital link between the brain and the body, functioning to carry essential information back-and-forth from the brain to the central nervous system, facilitating motor control and sensory function. Spinal cord injuries impair the brain�s ability to communicate effectively with the rest of the body, resulting in paralysis and/or lack of sensation in all or part of the body. The more severe an injury to the spinal cord is, the more of the body will be affected.
Compression Fracture aka Bone Break
Car accidents can also cause compression fractures. Compression fractures or cracks in the bones of the spine may cause the vertebrae to collapse and deform. This can permanently alter the shape and structure of the spine.
Symptoms of a compression fracture include pain and postural changes as well as breathing difficulties. Due to the fact that compression fractures are common among older adults, many individuals mistake the symptoms for�signs of aging�or arthritis. An estimated two-thirds of compression fractures go undiagnosed.
While cars are built to withstand the great force of a collision, the human body is not. The complex structures of the body, especially the spine, are vulnerable even in low speed collisions, resulting in injuries or conditions more often than not. An individual who�s been injured in an accident should seek immediate medical attention in order to diagnose any possible injuries or conditions as early as possible to begin treatment.�Chiropractic care�can effectively treat a variety of spinal complications, including auto injuries. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a chiropractor can gradually help restore the individual�s natural mobility and flexibility, as well as progressively strengthen the structures surrounding the spine to relieve the symptoms and restore the individual�s lifestyle.
After being involved in an automobile accident, injuries inflicted to the spine can be a common complication for many individuals. From herniated discs to compression fractions, the force of an auto collision can place great amounts of stress on the complex structures of the spine, often leading to damage, injuries and even aggravate an existing condition.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
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A Clients Story
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If you�ve had a car accident, it�s essential to take note of any symptoms of�back pain, as there are a variety of spine complications which could result after experiencing an auto collision.
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