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The Facts About Whiplash Injuries

Neck Sprain is Commonly Caused by Automobile Accidents

Sep 21, 2009 Heidi Lowry

Damage caused by sudden flexion or extension of the neck is responsible for a range of symptoms that can take years to develop.

When the neck is quickly and forcibly moved forward, backward or to each side, whiplash can result. Most commonly, whiplash is the result of rear-end car accidents, sports injuries and accidents at work. It is important to treat these soft tissue injuries early to avoid chronic pain, though sometimes symptoms don't develop until long after the accident occurred.

Pain That Defines a Whiplash Injury

Neck pain and headaches are the two most common complaints of whiplash sufferers. George Langlitz, III, a certified chiropractic sports physician from Springfield, Mass., estimates that between 62 and 98 percent of those who have been affected by a whiplash injury develop neck pain within two hours to two days of an accident. Approximately 60 to 77 percent experience headaches. Other symptoms of whiplash injuries can include:

blurred vision;
myofascial injuries to the muscles and ligaments;
difficulty swallowing;
dizziness;
ringing in the ears;
vertigo;
jaw pain;
burning or prickling sensations;
shoulder pain; and
back pain.

In addition to physical injuries, whiplash can cause nonphysical cognitive, somatic or pyschological symptoms like:

memory loss;
impairment of concentration;
nervousness;
irritability;
sleep disturbances;
fatigue; and
depression.

How Whiplash Pain Happens and How It is Treated

Most pain associated with whiplash is caused by tense muscles. When the neck is forced back and forth in a jarring motion, such as the type caused by a car accident, muscles and ligaments in the area are stretched beyond their normal limits. In severe instances, the supportive muscles of the spine are torn.

Muscles in the surrounding area then tighten to try and support the injured tissues. This limits range of motion and causes strain on those muscles, which are not used to bearing the extra load, and causes more pain. Other symptoms of whiplash injuries are generally the result of the body's reaction to this new tension. Headaches develop from tightness at the back of the neck, pain in the shoulders results from tense muscles, and burning or shooting pain is caused by tears in the muscles.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, treatment options include pain medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and cervical collars that are worn for two to three weeks. Applying heat to the area can also relieve pain as well as range of motion exercises and physical therapy.

Whiplash Compensation

Whiplash claims, for the most part, are honored in their entirety by insurance companies, but in the past, it was difficult to prove whiplash injuries in which no bones were broken. The pain created by soft tissue injuries, however, is just a real as pain caused by broken bones.

Without advances in imaging, sufferers were denied coverage because x-rays and radiographs are not sensitive enough to show soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries can now be easily identified with technologies like CAT scans, magnetic imaging and ultrasounds.

Get Help for Whiplash Pain Early

Despite the fact that, for most people, pain clears within days or weeks and a full recovery can be expected within three months, some patients experience residual headaches, and neck, back and shoulder pain as a result of whiplash. Langlitz estimates that approximately 45 percent of whiplash sufferers still report pain for up to two years after the accident--a point when insurance claims have been settled.

If a whiplash injury is suspected, consult a chiropractor or family doctor early to discuss the best treatment options. There are multiple symptoms of whiplash and various ways to detect abnormalities, even if pain is not felt yet. The best reaction to whiplash injuries is early detection to stop pain before it starts.

Sources:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Whiplash Information

"Chiropractic Care: Symptoms of Whiplash," by George Langlitz III, CCSP, SpineUniverse.com

The copyright of the article The Facts About Whiplash Injuries in General Medicine is owned by Heidi Lowry. Permission to republish The Facts About Whiplash Injuries in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Chiropractors Can Help Alleviate Whiplash Pain