Whiplash and Accidents

By Dr. John Dettmer, DC

Injuries to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head backward, forward or sideways are referred to as “whiplash.” This is a non-medical term used to describe neck pain that follows an injury to the soft tissues of the neck.  It is usually the result of an auto accident, sporting activity, accidental fall or assault. Even speeds as low as 15 miles per hour can produce enough energy to cause whiplash in an auto accident.  When a car is struck from behind or collides with another object, the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal limits.  The muscles and ligaments supporting the head and spine may be stretched or torn.  Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position and spinal discs may bulge, tear or rupture.

The resulting instability of the spine and soft tissues may contribute to headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the shoulders, arms and hands, a reduced ability to turn and bend and low back problems.

Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the neck and sometimes in the muscles of the head, chest, shoulders and arms.  Sometimes, symptoms don’t appear until weeks or even months later.

Other common causes of whiplash include:

  • Contact sport injuries and blows to the head from a falling object or from being assaulted.
  • Strains of the neck from sudden changes in direction may occur from things like roller coasters, bicycle accidents or falls.
  • Child abuse, particularly shaking a child can result I this injury as well as in more serious harm to the child’s brain or spinal cord.
  • Depending on the severity of the injury, signs and symptoms may also include:
  • Tenderness along the back of the neck and shoulders
  • Neck swelling
  • Muscle spasms in the posterior cervical spine (back of the neck), anterior cervical spine (front of the neck), or in the trapezius muscles (back of shoulders).
  • Difficulty flexing, extending or rotating the head.
  • Headache, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances and/or fatigue
  • Jaw tightness or difficulty chewing
  • Severe cases of whiplash may also cause vision disturbance, tinnitus and other signs of nerve irritation.

The physical medicine approach to these types of injuries is to use specific adjustments to help normalize spinal function.  If caught early enough, inflammation is reduced and scar tissue is minimized.

Among the treatments I use are: spinal decompression; muscle relaxation and stimulation; exercise rehabilitation and postural correction and cranial/spinal alignment.

These help restore movement lost; overcome muscle weakness and enhance muscle tone; speed recovery and diminish chronic symptoms that can persist over many years.

Those injured in auto accidents may need multi-pronged treatments because of the many different tissues affected.  Physical Medicine can significantly reduce patient’s distress and allow them to return to normal activities.

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