Whiplash Injury Chiropractic Treatment St Paul MN
Whiplash is the common name given to the injury where there is a hyperextention (increased backward motion) and hyperflexion (increased forward motion) of the cervical (neck) spine and is also known as Acute Soft Tissue Neck Sprain.
When whiplash injury occurs, the soft tissues – the tendons, ligaments and muscles – which support the head and neck become stretched out of their natural range of motion and torn.
The muscles and ligaments of the neck contract in order to prevent excessive motion and protect you from further serious injury such as a neck fracture or spinal cord injury. This is called a stretch reflex (myotatic reflex).
More simply put, the head is dramatically thrust forward and backward. Car accidents (rear-end collisions) are usually the cause whiplash injuries.
Although whiplash is most frequently the result of a rear-end collision, whiplash can occur in several other situations including:
* Slip and fall or tripping accidents
* Bicycle, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle crashes
* A direct blow to the face, neck, head, or back (usually from playing sports)
* Diving into shallow water
* Roller coasters and other amusement park rides that hyper-extends the neck or causes it to be snapped suddenly and violently in the wrong direction. Head, neck, and back injuries, and even whiplash are commonly reported amusement park injuries.
Roller Coasters & Amusement Park Rides
Just think about the way your body is thrown around when you are on a fast ride. You are whipped around in all directions and although your chest is often securely strapped in, your head and neck take the brunt of the impact and you are simulating whiplash motions. Diffuse axonal injuries are particularly common; these occur when the head is jerked suddenly and violently in the wrong direction and has been linked with whiplash.
Respect the Forces – Amusement rides expose an infinite variety of human beings to extremes of position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk.
G force is another issue with amusement rides and with some G forces reaching higher than those tolerated by astronauts at lift-off, it is clear that those who chose to thrill seek on roller coasters and the like are putting themselves at risk of serious whiplash or personal injury.
Martial Arts-Whiplash
* Practitioners of mixed martial arts have a risk of whiplash injury similar to that of people involved in rear impact vehicle accidents, yet there are no safety regulations to address these concerns (‘Risk of cervical injuries in mixed martial arts’, British Journal of Sports Medicine 2005; 39:444-447)
* Sports injuries such as football, gymnastics and many other contact sports. Contact sports can cause a number of personal injuries including whiplash injury. It is not uncommon for football players and rugby players to suffer Whiplash Associated Disorders. In fact, 29% of all injuries suffered by rugby-union players are head and neck injuries, 59% of which are suffered while tackling or being tackled.
As the vehicle accelerates forward from the starting position, the seat back pushes the occupant forward. If the head is unsupported (top sequence), then the neck bends rearward. Eventually the seat back springs forward, pushing the body ahead of the neck during rebound.
Symptoms of whiplash include headaches; visual disturbance; neck pain and stiffness; restriction of movement; and shoulder, neck, or arm pain. These symptoms may or may not be felt immediately. It is estimated that most whiplash injuries are not felt for several hours, days, and in some cases even five years after the original injury.
The Lasting Consequences of Whiplash
Whiplash Injuries and Chiropractic
Studies are clear that whiplash patients make a faster, less painful recovery, return to work and could return to activities faster and are the most satisfied when utilizing chiropractic when compared to covering up the symptoms with medications that have negative side effects that interfere with being able to think and ultimately, reduce productivity.
Chiropractic Spinal Adjustments Ease Whiplash Pain
Whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders is a common affliction in the United States with up to 42% of patients exhibiting long term symptoms, and that if they are still symptomatic after three months there is about a 90% chance that they will remain so. Most treatments used in dealing with this ubiquitous problem have not been shown to be effective by rigorously controlled scientific studies. The one exception to this finding is Chiropractic spinal manipulation — also called Spinal adjustments!
Through the use of carefully controlled pressures directed at the spine and various physical therapy modalities, combined with that of exercise and nutrition, whiplash sufferers have a better outcome.
What is important is that ALL Research has shown that chiropractic has been a very effective approach to healing whiplash. In fact, the findings of success with this problem are so compelling it led to the conclusion that Chiropractic Is The Only Proven Effective Treatment For Whiplash In Chronic Cases!
Chiropractic_The Only Proven Effective Treatment
Contact Caron Chiropractic if you have suffered an injury due to an auto accident. Whiplash neck and back injuries can happen even after a fender bender or broken tail light and can remain hidden for weeks, months and sometimes even years before telltale symptoms emerge such as low back pain, headaches, neck pain, stiffness, numbness in hands, dizziness, fatigue, irritability memory loss and even arthritis.
Chiropractic has been a blessing to millions of people suffering from neck and whiplash problems, saving many sufferers from unnecessary drugs and surgery.
Even if you are not in pain following a whiplash incident, it is important to receive prompt attention to your injury, as the structural balance of your neck and spine is important to your health. We can assist in your recovery by correctly adjusting your neck and/or spine so it has the chance to heal properly. In addition to chiropractic, we can also recommend physical therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises to put you back on the road to good health.