Whiplash And Chiropractic Treatment

What Is Whiplash And How Can Chiropractic Help?

Whiplash injuries are common and frequently treated at Isis Chiropractic Centres.

Injuries to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways, are referred to as 'Whiplash'. Whiplash is not a diagnosis but a mechanism of injury resulting in a sprain and muscle strain and sometimes has more severe effects.

Whether from a car accident, sports or an accident at work, whiplash or neck injuries warrant a thorough examination to be accurately diagnosed.

We often get referrals from Medical Management Companies and self referrals of patients that have not responded to physiotherapy so you should not feel that you have to live with the pain if you haven't responded to previous care.

What Is The Mechanism Of Whiplash Injuries?

Whiplash is most commonly suffered as a result of a road traffic accident. An impact/collision causes the head to suddenly jerk back and forth beyond its normal limits.

• The muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can be over-stretched or torn.
• The discs between the vertebrae can bulge, tear or rupture.
• Vertebrae can be forced out of their normal position, reducing range of motion.
• The spinal cord and nerve roots get stretched, irritated and choked

One problem with whiplash is that the symptoms can take years to develop and too often people do not seek treatment until more complications develop. Even after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, some 45% report they still suffer with symptoms two years later.

In the past, a typical whiplash injury, where no bones were broken, was hard to document as soft tissue injury did not show up on normal x-rays.

New imaging devises such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) now show soft tissue injury and is sometimes the best form of imaging to use for whiplash injuries.

A functional examination is an important part of finding out what injuries have been sustained. This will include testing range of movement, orthopaedic and neurological tests, and also other tests depending on what is found in the initial assessment.

Isis Chiropractic Centres often get referrals of cases that have not responded to physiotherapy.

What Are The Symptoms

When no bones are broken and the head does not strike the windshield, typical symptoms include:

· 62% - 98% complain of neck pain
· 66% - 70% complain of headaches.
· Shoulder & Arm Pain

Other symptoms include:

• Blurred Vision
• Dizziness
• Low back pain and or stiffness
• Vertigo
• Difficulty swallowing
• Nausea
• Numbness and tingling
• Irritability
• Pain in the jaw or face
• Fatigue
• Ringing in the ears
• Pain in the arms, legs, feet and hands

If you experience any of these symptoms, play it safe and book a chiropractic check-up.

Important Facts About Whiplash

• If car headrests are too low or at the correct height but more than 2 inches from the head, they significantly increase the risk of more serious whiplash injury.
• A seat that is reclined too far or poor posture when driving will increase the severity of injuries.
• Age plays an important role. As the body becomes older, ligaments become less pliable, muscles weaker and less flexible and range of motion is decreased.
• Women and children seem to be injured more seriously than men. This is most notably due to the fact that they tend to be shorter. Because of this, they are either too close to the steering wheel/airbag and or have improper fitting shoulder harness/seatbelts.
• Pre-existing health problems (e.g. arthritis) lend to the severity of the injuries.
• Most insurance companies cover the full cost of chiropractic care following road traffic accidents

A. Curved spine of the elderly
B. Excessive seat back inclination
C. Proper position of about 2 inches

Symptoms can be delayed for days and in some cases may not surface for years.

Worse, whiplash can still be causing symptoms after some five years, and in the long run, can cause secondary problems such as osteoarthritis and premature disc degeneration.

The Chiropractic Approach To Whiplash

The Chiropractic Approach to these types of injuries is to use specific, gentle adjustments to help restore spinal movement, use of Low Level Laser Therapy to reduce inflammation and give pain relief. Followed by a rehabilitation exercise programme to further help you to recover.

Our clinic have developed a 10 week Whiplash Rehabilitation Course. Using the best and most up to date research available, the programme has been designed to improve the quality of life for chronic whiplash patients.

The programme incorporates a range of exercises for postural correction, muscle strengthening and neurological rehabilitation and our aim is to recondition the musculature and neurological system of the neck in order to reduce the level of discomfort.

The sessions are supervised by our gym instructors and overseen by your chiropractor.

What Does The Research Say?

Current research say that manual therapy and exercise that focus on regaining function, is more effective than other types of treatments. Especially if the treatment is started as early as possible.

Click here for information on research on Chiropractic, Whiplash and Neck Pain.

So, 'wait and see' and to take painkillers is not the way forward if you want to get rid of your neck pain!

If you need any further information, please contact us here. We are more than happy to help.