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According to new research, post traumatic stress disorder,
or PTSD, can increase an individual’s chance for developing severe symptoms
after suffering a whiplash-type injury during an automobile accident.
The new study found that approximately 25.7% of individuals
with whiplash injuries also experienced post traumatic stress disorder which adversely
influenced their physical symptoms. Prior studies had suggested that PTSD and
hypersensitivity to pain could ultimately increase the risk for an individual
to develop chronic whiplash symptoms. From the research however, it remained
unclear how psychological symptoms could influence an individual’s experience
with pain and impairment. Furthermore, other conditions associated with
whiplash injuries include a wide variety of symptoms, from which not all people
suffered from PTSD or hypersensitivity.
A study conducted by Ashley Pedler and Michele Sterling of
the University of Queensland in Australia was utilized to determine whether
individuals with whiplash and hypersensitivity could be categorized according
to their symptoms. The study involved 331 patients who had experienced a
whiplash injury approximately within 3 months from the automobile accident. Each
patient was evaluated for neck pain, disability, cervical range of motion,
mental health, and PTSD as well as hypersensitivity.
The researchers found that 43.5% of the individuals did not
experience symptoms of hypersensitivity or PTSD, in spite of them being
encountered with symptoms of pain and disability. From the individuals who had
moderate to severe hypersensitivity and PTSD, their symptoms for neck pain and
disability were considerably worse. These were also mostly identified as older
individuals compared to those with no hypersensitivity or PTSD symptoms. The
study also indicated that hypersensitivity alone did not affect the severity of
physical symptoms in individuals with whiplash injuries but, in fact, those
with PTSD alone demonstrated much more severe symptoms of pain and impairment.
Almost a quarter of the people in the study presented signs
and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, implying that PTSD management
treatment could benefit these individuals. Prior research concluded that
cognitive behavioral therapy can impact both the physical and psychological consequences
of developing chronic whiplash symptoms.
Whiplash, PTSD and Muscle Injury
When treating individuals with whiplash-associated
disorders, its essential to diagnose the presence of both psychological as well
as physical symptoms. Reducing the pain, discomfort, and impairment symptoms an
individual might be experiencing could help decrease overall levels of stress
and anxiety, which can further help reduce any symptoms. Chiropractic treatment
can efficiently help relieve an individual’s physical symptoms as well as
helping reduce their psychological symptoms.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
