Whiplash: A neck injury caused by a sudden jerking
backward, forward, or both, of the head. Whiplash is
most commonly associated with rear-end car collisions,
in which the impact suddenly forces the car occupants'
heads to "snap" back and forth. Other causes of whiplash
include a sudden jerk of one or both arms, a violent
blow to the head or chin, a reflex jerking of the head
due to fright or a sudden loud noise, or any kind of
fall that causes a forceful movement of the head and
neck. Anyone can be subjected to whiplash, even in a
low-force car crash at speeds as low as 5 m.p.h.
The sudden, violent thrust and recoil of the neck and
head damages the surrounding and supporting tissues,
including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Whiplash most
commonly causes lingering (often serious) neck pain and
stiffness, but there may also be back pain, headaches,
blurred vision, nausea, ringing in the ears, numbness,
and even dizziness. Whiplash symptoms may or may not
appear right away. After a night's rest or even longer,
you will usually experience stiffness or soreness of the
neck. Often victims are stunned immediately after an
accident and do not note any of the whiplash effects.
It's possible that old whiplash injuries can be the
cause of many physical and psychological symptoms, even
years after the accident, especially if a victim does
not receive proper care quickly.
Whiplash injuries occur when a person's spine, or
neck, is injured by being unexpectedly or suddenly
thrown very quickly in one direction, and then in the
opposite direction. You might say the head is "whipped
around" on the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common
consequences of auto accidents; it is estimated that
15%-30% of car occupants will suffer neck pain. Whiplash
can be mild to severe and can range anywhere from rapid
healing to slow healing to long-term chronic pain and
impairment. It can cause serious problems because it can
cause long-term damage. When left untreated, the
eventual result is serious degeneration, of the neck and
spine. Whiplash symptoms may start as neck soreness or
stiffness, perhaps accompanied by a headache,
immediately or even 24 hours after the accident. Along
with these symptoms, there may be pain and/or numbness,
tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling between the
shoulder blades, arm and hand. Some people may
experience ear ringing, dizziness, or even hearing loss.
Sometimes the eyes can be affected and there may be pain
behind the eyeballs, blurred vision, sensitivity to
light or other visual symptoms. Occasionally, there may
be tearing or running of the nose. Anyone who has ever
had a whiplash injury, no matter how long ago, should
see a chiropractor. The emergency room may have sent the
patient home after x-rays and MRI or CT scans and found
nothing broken or ruptured. However, the spine may still
be structurally unsound. Without structural integrity,
the spine will not heal properly, and problems may
develop years later.
Whiplash injuries occur when a person's spine, or
neck, is injured by being unexpectedly or suddenly
thrown very quickly in one direction, and then in the
opposite direction. You might say the head is "whipped
around" on the neck. Whiplash is one of the most common
consequences of auto accidents; it is estimated that
15%-30% of car occupants will suffer neck pain. Whiplash
can be mild to severe and can range anywhere from rapid
healing to slow healing to long-term chronic pain and
impairment. It can cause serious problems because it can
cause long-term damage. When left untreated, the
eventual result is serious degeneration, of the neck and
spine. Whiplash symptoms may start as neck soreness or
stiffness, perhaps accompanied by a headache,
immediately or even 24 hours after the accident. Along
with these symptoms, there may be pain and/or numbness,
tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling between the
shoulder blades, arm and hand. Some people may
experience ear ringing, dizziness, or even hearing loss.
Sometimes the eyes can be affected and there may be pain
behind the eyeballs, blurred vision, sensitivity to
light or other visual symptoms. Occasionally, there may
be tearing or running of the nose. Anyone who has ever
had a whiplash injury, no matter how long ago, should
see a chiropractor. The emergency room may have sent the
patient home after x-rays and MRI or CT scans and found
nothing broken or ruptured. However, the spine may still
be structurally unsound. Without structural integrity,
the spine will not heal properly, and problems may
develop years later.
Manipulation
Muscle
relaxation and/or stimulation
Various exercises
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.
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 may also be used. 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.
Different types of exercises may be employed,
including McKenzie exercises and/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.
The whiplash treatment plan developed by your
chiropractor for each specific problem may include one
or more of these approaches and may involve others as
well. In addition to his or her whiplash treatment plan,
the doctor might give a referral to another health
professional, such as a medical specialist, if it is
deemed appropriate.