What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is something that commonly happens in motor vehicle accidents in which a sudden stop or crash occurs. Slips or falls can also induce this as well.
Normal movement of the cervical spine is a smooth motion in which every vertebral segment contributes evenly.
Whiplash motion is completely different from everyday motion of the neck. Very early in the whiplash collision, the lower cervical spine experiences a rapid bending while the rest of the cervical spine remains relatively straight. This rapid bending can strain joints of the lower cervical spine, resulting in tears and inflammation of the joints.
What Are The Causes of Whiplash?
The weight of our head is approximately 10 lbs and sits on a delicate cervical spine. The sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head puts enormous strain on the spine and muscles of the neck. In severe cases the lower back can be involved for similar reasons.
The facet joints are the key to normal, healthy spinal motion. The facets are on the rear portion of the vertebrae and are angled backward. During normal spinal motion, the joints glide over one another smoothly and evenly.
The rapid motion of the neck during a crash can result in a number of injuries – many of which are impossible to see on x-rays or MRI. Some of the possible injuries that have been shown after whiplash crashes include
- Rim Lesions – tears of the anterior disc
- Endplate avulsions of the anterior part of the vertebrae
- Tears of the Anterior Longitudinal Ligament on the front of the vertebrae
- Posterior ligament tears
What Are The Signs And Symptoms of Whiplash?
Signs and symptoms of whiplash include neck, upper back, headaches, shoulder and lower back pain. Arm and leg pain and numbness often occur.
Referred pain is when pain is felt in a different area of the body from where the injury actually lies. Injury to the facet joints can create referred pain called Sclerotome pain. Injury to the adjacent muscles which are attached to the vertebrae can create a muscular referred pain which is called Myofascial pain.
What Are The Risk Factors of Whiplash? Many factors are involved.
The size, weight and speed of each vehicle and the position in which each vehicle is impacted. The use of seat belt restraints and whether or not airbags were deployed to name but a few.
How is Whiplash Diagnosed?
A thorough history and examination are critical. X-rays may be required if they have not already been done in a medical setting
What Are Possible Treatments For Whiplash?
Chiropractic care excels in alleviating whiplash pain and provides faster recovery times.
Are There Preventative Steps or Measures To Avoid Whiplash?
Use of seatbelts helps to reduce the severity of whiplash injuries as does airbags.
What Are The Risks If Whiplash Is Left Untreated?
Untreated, this injury will likely worsen and can lead to chronic pain, scar tissue and loss of motion in the spine.
Are There Other Related Conditions To Whiplash?
Shoulder pain, headaches, arm pain, leg pain, temporomandibular joint pain, myofascial trigger points and chronic fibromyalgia are commonly subsequent to whiplash disorder.
Key Takeaways About Whiplash (Top 3-5 points to remember from everything)
Early intervention is the key to success. Many times joint team care with chiropractic, medical and physical therapy providers is necessary in severe cases.
Recommended Next Steps
Our office routinely treats whiplash disorder with great success where other treatments have failed. Faster healing times are the norm.
