In the past a typical whiplash injury, where no bones were broken, was hard to document. Soft tissue injury didn’t show up on normal x-rays and insurance companies would deny coverage.

Literally adding insult to injury, the patient suffering all too real pain was considered to be a fraud, a liar, or at best a hypochondriac. New imaging devices (CAT Scans, Magnetic Imaging, and Ultra Sound) now show soft tissue injury and insurance companies now cover most whiplash injuries.

When no bones are broken and the head doesn’t strike the windshield, typical symptoms are as follows: 62 percent to 98 percent complain of neck pain, which typically starts anywhere from two hours up to two days after the accident.1 This is often the result of tightened muscles that react to either muscle tears or excessive movement of joints from ligament damage. The muscles tighten in an effort to splint and support the head, limiting the excessive movement.

Sixty-six percent to 70 percent of those suffering from whiplash complain of headache.2 The pain may be on one side or both, on again off again or constant, in one spot or more general. These headaches, like the neck pain, are often the result of tightened, tensed muscles trying to keep the head stable and, like tension headaches, they are often felt behind the eyes.

Shoulder pain often described as pain radiating down the back of the neck into the shoulder blade area, may also be the result of tensed muscles.

Muscle tears are often described as burning pain, prickling or tingling. More severe disc damage may cause sharp pain with certain movements which are relieved by holding your hand over your head.

The chart to the right lists the most common whiplash symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, play it safe and get a chiropractic check up.

In a rear end collision the victim’s car is first pushed or accelerated forward and then, because their foot is on the brake, or their car hits the next car in front, their car is quickly slowed down or decelerated.

As the car accelerates forward, it pushes the body forward but the head stays behind momentarily rocking up and back until some of the muscles and ligaments of the neck are stretched or torn. If the headrest is positioned properly behind the head some of this excess movement can be prevented. Too often however the injury occurs before the head bounces off the headrest.

The muscles in a reflex action to the backward motion of the head, try to jerk the head forward again. This overcompensates because the head bounces forward off the headrest and the car begins to rapidly decelerate about the same time. This rocks the head forward and down even more violently than the initial injury, stretching or tearing more muscles and ligaments. If the victim isn’t well restrained by a seat belt, and particularly if their car hits the next car in front, the head can strike the steering wheel or the windshield adding a head injury or concussion to any neck injuries.

The severity of the injuries depends on numerous things. When both are similar size vehicles, even an 8 mile per hour collision produces two times the force of gravity or a 2-G acceleration of the vehicle and a 5-G acceleration of the head.1 This magnification of the force gives rise to the name whiplash.

The position of the headrest greatly affects the severity. It can make the injury worse if too low and, even at the right height, it must be close enough to catch the head in time (about 2 inches). The seat reclined too far will enlarge this distance as will the poor posture of leaning slightly forward (typical of the elderly or people watching for the light to turn).

The position of the victim’s head can dramatically affect the injury. When the head is turned to the side, for instance, it can only rock up about half as far as when looking straight ahead. All the forces concentrate on one side of the spine and cause more severe injuries.
Many other things affect the severity of the injuries. As the body ages it gets less flexible, range of motion decreases, and muscles get weaker. All these make injuries more severe to older people. Women seem to be injured more seriously than men and of course some people are more prone to injury because of preexisting conditions like arthritis.

A recent study adds to previous research showing that chiropractic care is very effective for these injuries. Researchers at the University of Calgary in Canada studied 23 patients with sub-acute whiplash disorders. They assessed the effects of chiropractic adjustments to the neck on muscle function, range of motion, and pressure sensitivity. They found that the patients enjoyed significant improvements in all measured outcomes. There were significant improvements in muscle and joint function and in the patients’ pain threshold. The researchers concluded that chiropractic care may be a “first important step towards early active rehabilitation and return to activities of daily living.”1

This is in keeping with previous research. In the Canadian province of Quebec, all car insurance is provided through the Quebec Automobile Insurance Society. They pay so many whiplash claims that they commissioned a task force to study all scientific information on the care of whiplash. After three years reviewing 10,382 articles on neck injuries they recommended spinal manipulation (which chiropractic doctors call adjustments). The majority of remedies commonly used were rejected as having not even been studied scientifically, including muscle relaxants, cervical pillows, acupuncture, spray and stretch, ultrasound, diathermy, heat, ice, massage, and various injections. Of those treatments that had been studied scientifically, most proved ineffective, including steroid injections, soft cervical collars, pulsed electromagnetic treatment, and magnetic necklaces. The only things they found effective were mobilization, manipulation, and exercises in combination with over the counter pain remedies.2 This is the essence of chiropractic care. We manipulate or adjust the spine to restore its function and we often recommend exercises to mobilize the area and get you back to normal activities.

Even if you feel normal after an accident, with no symptoms, you should be thoroughly examined. Symptoms can be delayed for days, and in some cases, symptoms may not surface for years.1 Worse, whiplash injuries can still be causing symptoms after five years, and in the long run, can cause secondary problems such as osteoarthritis.2 This delay in symptoms and the long term consequences make it very important to get examined after any accident.

Don’t wait. Call our office for an appointment. We have proven methods of care for whiplash.