Your doctor will most likely talk to you about correcting the problem as much as possible, to help prevent further degeneration. Your body, unfortunately, is not like an air conditioner that can have parts replaced and easily fixed. It is with us for the long term and maintenance of the body is much easier than replacement of parts (surgery). When you come into the chiropractor, with pain, the problem usually has been developing over time and is now in a state of degeneration and needs some care to try to reverse some of the damage that has been done. There are three phases your doctor will discuss with you to get you better: The correction phase is where the goal is to decrease pain levels and decrease the swelling of the injury. The second phase is where we focus more on healing to the surrounding structures, the muscles, ligaments, tendons etc. The last phase is the rehabilitative phase, where our goal is to continue to work on the health of your spine while you are strengthening the muscles surrounding the region that was injured. Whiplash?
THE CAR WAS INJURED AND ME TOO!
Whiplash is a fairly common condition that occurs when the neck is suddenly forced forwards and backwards, usually from motor vehicle collisions. Before 1928, whiplash was sometimes called “railway spine” as it was used to describe injuries that occurred to people involved in train accidents. Since 1928, much has been studied and reported about this condition and in 1995, the term, “whiplash associated disorders” or WAD, was introduced. Classically, whiplash is associated with car accidents or, motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) but can also be caused by other injuries such as a fall on the ice and banging the head, sports injuries, as well as being assaulted, including “shaken baby syndrome.” In this article, we will mostly focus on whiplash caused by car injury.
We cannot voluntarily stop our head from moving beyond the normal range of motion as it takes only about 500 milliseconds for whiplash to occur during a MVC, and we cannot voluntarily contract our neck muscles in less than 800-1000 msec. The confusing part about whiplash is that it can occur in low speed collisions such as 5-10 mph, sometimes more often than at speeds of 20 mph or more. The reason for this has to do with the vehicle absorbing the energy of the collision. At lower speeds, there is less crushing of the metal (less damage to the vehicle) and therefore, less of the energy from the collision is absorbed. The energy from the impact is then transferred to the contents inside the vehicle (that is, you)! This is technically called elastic deformity – when there is less damage to the car, more energy is transferred to the contents inside the car. When metal crushes, energy is absorbed and less energy affects the vehicle's contents (technically called plastic deformity). This is exemplified by race cars. When they crash, they are made to break apart so the contents (the driver) is less jostled by the force of the collision. Sometimes, all that is left after the collision is the cage surrounding the driver.
Symptoms of whiplash vary widely. Most common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headache, shoulder pain/stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, jaw pain, arm pain, arm weakness, visual disturbances, ringing ear noises, and sometimes back pain. If symptoms continue and chronic WAD occurs, depression, anger, frustration, anxiety, stress, drug dependency, post-traumatic stress syndrome, sleep disturbance, and social isolation can occur. This is why it is critical to seek thorough chiropractic care which includes physical therapy modalities, therapeutic massage and strengthening to the affected areas. Studies have shown that early mobilization and manipulation results in a better outcome than waiting for weeks or months to seek chiropractic treatment. The best results are found by obtaining prompt chiropractic care.
Diagnosis is based on the history, physical exam, x-ray, MRI, and if nerve damage occurs, an EMG. Treatment includes rest, ice and later heat, exercise, pain management and avoiding prolonged use of a collar. Chiropractic includes all of these, as well as manipulation, mobilization, and patient education. Prompt return to normal activity including work is important to avoid the negative spiral into long term disability. If you or a loved one have suffered from an injury like this, please give us a call at Whitacre Wellness: (618) 684-3344. We would love to steer you toward health again!