Tag Archives: whiplash

A Different Perspective on Chronic Whiplash

30 Mar

It’s estimated that up to 50% of whiplash associated disorders (WAD) patients will continue to experience long-term symptoms that interfere with their ability to carry out activities of daily living. According to experts, the economic burden associated with chronic WAD may exceed $42 billion each year. As such, many studies have sought to better understand whiplash, both from the mechanisms of injury to why some patients recover and some don’t. 

With respect to chronic WAD resulting from a motor vehicle collision (the most common cause of whiplash), factors associated with the crash itself like speed, impact direction, awareness of collision, and airbag deployment do not appear to be significantly linked to an elevated risk for chronicity. On the other hand, researchers have found that higher self-rated pain and disability, fear of movement, catastrophizing, passing coping, and low expectations of recovery are indicative of failure to fully recover. 

In a 2017 study, researchers reframed the trauma of a motor vehicle collision as an event that is both potentially injurious and distressing. When an acute injury occurs (in this case whiplash), there is often damage to various anatomical structures in the head, neck, and/or upper-mid back. Additionally, there is also a stress response associated with the overall incident (including subsequent events like a trip to the hospital and dealing with the insurance company and legal system) that can interfere with the healing process. When the combination of psychological vulnerabilities and neurobiological processes exceeds a person’s given threshold, their risk for chronic WAD rises.

This finding highlights the importance of treating the whole patient when it comes to WAD as it can affect both the body and mind. In addition to therapies delivered in the office to help the soft tissues in and around the neck to heal, doctors of chiropractic and other healthcare providers need to educate the patient and assure them that they will recover and encourage them to carry on their normal activities within pain tolerance. If necessary, the patient may need a referral to a mental healthcare professional to address psychological factors that can impede recovery. 

Pain Relief Chiropractic

4909 Louise Dr

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

 (717) 697-1888

Member of Chiro-Trust.org 

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Whiplash “Anatomy.”

20 Dec

To better understand Whiplash, let’s take a look at the anatomy and what is actually injured in a whiplash injury.  Our spine is basically a long chain made up of blocks that are larger at the bottom and smaller at the top. This means the low back vertebra are huge compared to the neck vertebrae. The vertebrae fit together in a way that “locks” them together by the small joints in the back called “facets” and in the front by the disks. These joints function as shock absorbers between the blocks or “vertebral bodies.” Also in the front, there is a tough piece of tissue called the “anterior longitudinal ligament” that provides a barrier so that when the neck is bent backwards (into “extension”), it becomes tight and stops that movement so it doesn’t over-extend, which could fracture the small facet joints in the back.

There are ligaments, or tissues that hold bone to bone, in the back of the spine that connect between the “spinous processes,” or bony “bumps” in the middle of the back. These ligaments check or stop excessive forward motion of the neck during whiplash. Joint capsules surround joints, which we all have seen when we separate a chicken leg from the thigh. Remember how smooth and shiny the end of the chicken leg is? That smooth surface at the end of long bones is call “hyaline cartilage”, and it allows for slippery gliding between the ends of our bones when we move any joint, including our fingers, wrists, shoulders, hip as well as the facet joints of the spine. Joint movement is facilitated by the presence of an oily substance called “synovial fluid” which acts like a lubricant for the joint allowing for pain-free movement.

A “sprain” occurs when we damage a joint capsule or a ligament, or when the muscle or its attachment (tendon) is injured. These are graded as mild, moderate or severe, or grades 1, 2,or 3, with grade 3 being the worst at 75% or greater tearing, and healing takes progressively longer with each grade.

During a whiplash injury, the classic rear-end collision results in over stretching of the ligaments in the neck, and tearing can occur (sprain, grades 1, 2 or 3). If one of the nerves gets pinched, then numbness, pain, and/or weakness can occur, radiating down the arm to a specific location. When this occurs, the long-term prognosis is worse. Concussion can also occur if the brain is slammed against the inside of the skull. Chiropractic adjustments, when administered early, yield the best results for treating whiplash, according to many studies.

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

 

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Whiplash “101.”

14 Dec

Whiplash diagnosis: The diagnosis of whiplash first and foremost requires a thorough history. Here, we discuss the factors leading up to the MVC (motor vehicle collision), the angle or direction of impact (front end, angular, side or T-bone, rear end), whether the head was pointed straight or rotated, whether the head hit anything inside the car, airbag deployment and any related injury, seat belt location and effectiveness, the conditions of the day (weather, road, lighting, etc.), the onset of each injured area including neck, upper/lower back, headache, memory loss, and radiating symptoms (time lapse to symptom onset), ER/ambulance involvement, the initial 24-48 hours, the point of maximum pain intensity, job and non-vocational capabilities, prior test results (x-ray, CT, MRI, lab, etc.), prior treatment effectiveness, and more! The physical examination centers on observation (posture, patient distress, mood); palpation or touching the injured areas; orthopedic tests (looking for positions that either relieve or increase symptoms); range of motion (how far forward, back, sideways, and in rotation can the head be voluntarily moved and its related level of comfort, speed/quality of motion); neurological exam (sensory, motor, cranial nerves, etc.); and special tests (x-ray, CT, MRI, lab, etc.) if not previously done.

Course of care: The type and length of treatment will vary based on the degree of injury (see last month’s “prognosis” discussion), the initial response to care (improvement vs. worsening), the compliance of the patient in modifying their activities, performing home-based care (ice, rest, exercise, etc.), and the patient’s motivation to get better. The latter may be partially dependent on factors like whether there is litigation planned or occurring, their belief that they will “get better,” and how the health care provider manages the care (the use of passive approaches where the patient must go and see the doctor vs. active approaches where the patient is taught how to self-manage through diet, exercise, activity modifications, education, etc.)

Treatment options: The patient has the choice of following a traditional medical model of initial anti-inflammatory medication, patient education, wait and watch, and/or a physical therapy referral. The chiropractic approach includes patient education, anti-inflammatory approaches (ice – NOT HEAT, anti-inflammatory herbs), exercise training and manual therapies including spinal adjustments. The latter, when applied properly, has been found to return patients to work faster than other approaches with a shorter recovery time and is less costly and more satisfying. When comparing treatment options beyond 6 or 12 months, the differences are more subtle. Other treatment options include acupuncture, massage therapy, and various forms of exercise. When necessary, injections, narcotics, and other pharmaceutical options exist but are not recommended as initial care approaches. Behavioral and cognitive therapy can help people cope with chronic, permanent pain related problems. There are many approaches to the management of whiplash and the patient needs a “quarterback” or someone to help them with these decisions. This is perhaps the most important role of the chiropractor!

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

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Whiplash “Fun Facts.”

14 Dec

Whiplash is a slang term for cervical acceleration, deceleration syndrome, or CAD. There are facts and myths surrounding the subject of whiplash. Let’s look at some of the facts.

The origin of CAD. The history of CAD dates back to a time prior to the invention of the car. The first case of severe neck pain arose from a train collision around the time of 1919 and was originally called “railroad spine.” The number of whiplash injuries sharply rose after the invention of cars due to rear-end crashes.

Whiplash synonyms. As stated previously, the term “cervical acceleration-deceleration disorder, or CAD, is a popular title as it explains the mechanism of injury, where in the classic rear-end collision, the neck is initially extended back as the car is propelled forward, leaving the head hanging in space. Once the tissues stretch enough in the front of the neck, the head and neck flex forward very rapidly, forcing the chin towards the chest. This over stretches the soft tissues in the back of the neck. Another term for whiplash is WAD or, Whiplash Associated Disorders. In 1995, the Quebec Task Force categorized injuries associated with whiplash by the type of tissues that were found to be injured. Here, WAD Type I represents patients with symptoms/pain but normal range of motion and no real objective findings like muscle spasm. Type II includes injuries to the soft tissues that limit neck motion with muscle spasm but no neurological loss (sensation or muscle strength). WAD Type III includes the Type II findings plus neurological loss, and type IV involves fractures of the cervical spine.

Head rest facts: Prior to the invention of head rests, whiplash injuries were much more common and more serious because the head was propelled in a “crack-the-whip” like fashion. However, headrests are frequently not adjusted correctly; they are either too low and/or too far away from the head. If the seat back is reclined, this further separates the head from the headrest. The proper position of the head rest should be near the center of gravity of the head, or about 9 cm (3.5”) below the top of the head, or at minimum, at the top of the ears. Equally important is that it should be as close as possible to the back of the head. When the distance reaches 4” away from the head, there is an increased risk of injury, especially if it’s also set too low. When the headrest is properly positioned, the chances of head injury are decreased by up to 35% during a rear-end collision.

Seat back angle. The degree of incline of the seat back can also contribute to injury of the cervical spine. As stated above, as the seat is reclined, the head to headrest distance increases, furthering the chance for injury. A second negative effect is called “ramping.” Here, the body slides up the seat back resulting in the head being positioned over the top of the head rest. Also, the degree of “spring” of the seatback contributes to the rebound of the torso during the CAD process.

Concussion: The notion that the head has to hit something to develop a concussion is not true. Also, the idea that a loss of consciousness is needed to develop a concussion is also false. Simply, the rapid forward/backward movement of the head is enough force for the brain (which is suspended by ligaments) to literally slam into the inner walls of the skull and can result in concussion. The symptoms associated with concussion are referred to as post-concussive syndrome or, mild traumatic brain injury.

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family presently and, in the future.

 

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Whiplash “Basics.”

12 Dec

Whiplash is a non-medical term typically describing what happens to the head and neck when a person is struck from behind in a motor vehicle collision. Let’s look at some basic facts about whiplash:

Before cars, trains were the main source of whiplash and was called “railroad spine.”

Better terms for whiplash injuries include “cervical acceleration-deceleration” (CAD) which describes the mechanism of the injury, and/or the term “whiplash associated disorders” (WAD), which describes the residual injury symptoms.

Whiplash is one of the most common non-fatal injuries involved in car crashes.

There are over one million whiplash injuries per year due to car crashes alone.

An estimated 3.8 per 1,000 people per year have a whiplash injury.

In the United States alone, 6.2% of the population has “late whiplash syndrome” (symptoms that do not resolve at one year).

1 in 5 cases (20%) remain symptomatic at one year post-injury of which only 11.5% returned to work and only 35.4% of that number returned to the same level of work after 20 years.

The majority of whiplash cases occur in the fourth decade of life, females>males.

Whiplash can occur from slips, falls, and brawls, as well as from horse-riding, cycling injuries, and contact sports.

Injury from whiplash can occur at speeds of 15 mph or less.

In the “classic” rear end collision, there are four phases of injury (time: 300msec)

Initial (0msec) – before the collision (the neck is stable)

Retraction (1-150msec) – “whiplash” starts where the head/neck stay in the original position but the trunk is moving forwards by the car seat. This is where the “S” shaped curve occurs (viewing the spine from the side).

Extension (150-200msec) – the whole neck bends backwards (hopefully stopped by a properly placed head rest).

Rebound (200-300msec) – the tight, stretched muscles in the front of the neck propels the head forward immediately after the extension phase.

We simply cannot voluntarily contract our neck muscles fast enough to avoid injury, as injury to the neck occurs within 500msec. and voluntary contraction or bracing takes 800msec or longer.

Injury is worse when the seat is reclined as our body can “ramp” up and over the seat and headrest. Also, a springy seat back increases the rebound affect.

Prompt treatment is better than waiting for a long time. Manipulation is a highly effective (i.e., COME SEE US!) treatment option.

We realize you have a choice in where you choose your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward in serving you and your family both presently and in the future.

 

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Whiplash – Rest or Treatment?

11 Dec

Whiplash, or WAD (whiplash associated disorders) results from the rapid movement of the neck and head resulting in injury. This is the net result of the “classic” motor vehicle collision, though other injury models (like slips and falls) can result in similar injuries. Last month, we listed basic facts, of which one was better results (less long-term pain and disability) occurred from initial active treatment of the neck with mobilization/manipulation, exercise, and encouraging movement vs. placing a collar on the patient and “resting” the injured neck. Though there are a few studies that suggest there is no difference in results, the majority state that it is BEST to actively treat the patient and encourage movement (of course, assuming no unstable fractures have occurred) rather than to place the patient into a collar and limit activities. The first question that we’ll address this month is, why is this important?

The simple answer is that you, as an advocate for an injured friend, family member or as a patient yourself, may NOT be offered “the best” treatment approach by the ER or primary care physician. In fact, one study cited a survey regarding the management of whiplash injuries in an ER and reported that between 23-47% of physicians prescribed a soft cervical collar for acute whiplash rather than promoting immediate active treatment. By knowing this information, the knowledgeable patient can refuse the collar method of care and seek care that emphasizes the use of early mobilization and manipulation, like chiropractic! Though referrals to chiropractors are increasing as more research becomes available, chiropractic care is still significantly ignored or not considered by many practicing ER and primary care physicians. As always, you need to be your own “best advocate,” and the only way to do that is to be informed, hence the intention of this Health Update! Some studies even report that the use of a collar may have deleterious or “bad” side effects and can actually make you WORSE (this was reported by the Quebec Task Force)! The majority of studies on the subject of whiplash report that encouraging “normal activity,” as opposed to immobilization, IS the best approach. We will certainly help steer you in the right direction! 

Next, let’s talk about WHY does this method works better? The research supports that soft tissues injuries heal better and with less scar tissue formation when patients receive active treatment/early activity types of care (like manipulation / chiropractic). In general, any treatment approach that reduces patient suffering sooner, encourages one to return to “normal activities” faster, and promotes independence and self-care methods earlier is the best approach!

 

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