Whiplash commonly occurs after a traffic collision. Although the symptoms for this type of injury usually ease on their own without the
need of special treatment, it is recommended to maintain the normal mobility
of the neck and seek medical attention immediately. In a majority of cases, people will
turn to the use of painkillers to ease the pain but these only disguise the
problem temporarily since they don’t directly treat the issues.
Whiplash-related injuries are the result of a sudden,
back-and-forth motion of the head, much like a whip, as a result of an extreme force
acting against the body. On account of the force from the impact of a car crash,
for example, the muscles, ligaments and other complex tissues in the neck can
stretch, or sprain, beyond their normal range, sometimes causing tears.
Who Can Get Whiplash?
Neck sprains, or whiplash, are significantly common.
Many individuals who unfortunately experience an unexpected automobile accident experience symptoms of neck pain with or without other injuries. It’s been
previously concluded that women tend to be more prone than men to suffer from
whiplash-associated injuries as the structures of their body can be relatively
different.
After being involved in a minor auto collision where the
vehicle only sustained minimal damage, many people are often surprised to still
have developed symptoms of whiplash. Including slow vehicle bumps may cause a
sufficient enough jerking motion of the neck to cause symptoms.
Although less commonly, a whiplash-associated injury can
also occur as a result of a sports injury or from strenuous physical activity.
Some people have also reported injury from an everyday activity where the neck
is suddenly jerked after a trip or fall.
Symptoms of Whiplash
While the symptoms of whiplash generally develop immediately
after the auto accident, for some people, these can take up to several days,
weeks, even months to develop. The common symptoms for whiplash include: pain
and discomfort along with stiffness in the neck, usually worsening with each
day, pain and stiffness may also be felt in the shoulders, down the arms, and
in the upper and/or lower area of the back; turning or bending the neck may be
difficult and painful; headaches; dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the jaw or
pain when swallowing and abnormal sensations along the skin of the face; and
finally, some individuals may experience fatigue and can have irritability and
difficulty concentrating.
The presence of any of these symptoms could indicate the
presence of a whiplash-associated injury. It’s essential to seek medical
attention as soon as possible to receive a proper diagnosis and determine the
true cause of the symptoms. If any of the above mentioned symptoms persist, be
sure to tell a doctor immediately.
Diagnosing Whiplash
A healthcare professional specializing in auto accident
injuries is most capable of diagnosing the presence of whiplash from the
description of the incident, the symptoms the individual may be experiencing
and through a careful evaluation. Because whiplash is a soft-tissue injury,
many doctors may be unable to make a clear diagnosis, however, some healthcare
specialists are specifically trained to identify whiplash. A careful
examination of the structures of the neck, back, shoulders and arms can help
determine if there’s been damage or injury to the spine or to the spinal cord
or spinal nerves. Further tests may be recommended.
Treatments for Neck Sprains
Foremost, the individual must continue to stay active and
appropriately stretch and/or exercise their neck. The goal is to keep moving
the neck as normally as possible. Initially, the symptoms may be painful and
the individual may require some time to rest their neck. Nonetheless, gently
exercising the neck as soon as the individual is able to can help. It’s
important to now allow the structures of the neck to stiffen up and become
tight.
The individual can also gradually increase the range of
motion in their neck. Every few hours, gentle movements of the neck in each
direction, several times a day can help avoid stiffness in the muscles and
other tissues of the neck. Continuing with normal activities is crucial at this
point, natural movements of the neck will not cause further damage.
Practicing healthy postural habits can also be beneficial to
ease the symptoms of whiplash. While at work or during any other situation of
prolonged sitting, the individual should check the posture they are sitting in.
Make sure you are sitting upright, not with your head flexed forward along with
a stooped back. Several stretches and exercises, such as yoga and pilates, have
been used to improve neck posture, however, there is not enough evidence to
support the benefits of these techniques when improving posture. In addition, a
firm supporting pillow can also help ease the symptoms when sleeping. The
individual should avoid using more than one pillow at this time, to avoid
further injury.
Chiropractic treatment is a common form of alternative
treatment that is frequently used to treat whiplash and many other types of
injuries and conditions. Chiropractic care focuses on musculoskeletal injuries
and condition, particularly soft-tissue injuries like whiplash, including
nervous system dysfunctions. A chiropractor often utilizes gentle spinal
adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully restore the natural alignment
of the spine and its surrounding structures in the case a subluxation is
present. By doing so, these gentle treatments can relieve the stress and
pressure being placed against the tissues around the spine, ultimately reducing
the painful symptoms. Additionally, the chiropractic adjustments a chiropractor
performs can help strengthen the muscles and other tissues of the affected
area, helping to restore the original flexibility and mobility of the
structures of the body.
A chiropractor may additionally recommend a series of
stretches and/or exercises to help speed up the rehabilitation process and
improve the individual’s condition through muscle strength, flexibility and
mobility. As with any other type of treatment for an injury or condition, time
and patience are required to ensure a proper recovery. Depending on the
severity of the individual’s whiplash, the recovery process can differ for each
person.
Preventing Whiplash with Head Restraints
Many vehicles today are being designed to reduce the impact
from the force of a collision against the body, especially in the neck. All
vehicles include head restraints on the vehicle seats which can help
prevent whiplash and other neck injuries or conditions. The head restraint should be positioned as
high as the top of the head. A properly adjusted head restraint can further help decrease the chance of experiencing a serious whiplash injury or other type of neck damage
as this can help stop or reduce the head from jolting backwards in an
automobile accident. Safety is important and although an auto collision can be
an unexpected and undesired incident, preventing harm through a few simple
procedures can make a tremendous difference.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
