Whiplash injury

Definition: Hyperextension (head bending backwards) and hyperflexion (head bending forwards) injury to the neck, often the result of being struck from behind by a fast-moving vehicle, in a motor vehicle accident.

Have you ever been in a motor vehicle crash and experienced pain in your neck? Like most people, you have most likely had a whiplash injury. Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of your neck. It is usually caused by sudden extension (backward movement of the neck) accompanied by sudden flexion (forward movement of the neck). This type of injury is often the result of rear-end vehicle crashes. Severe whiplash can also include injury to the intervertebral joints (joints within the spine), discs (soft tissue between the vertebrae), ligaments, neck, upper back and shoulder muscles & nerve roots.

Symptoms of Whiplash

Most people experience neck pain either immediately after the injury but some do not feel a great deal of pain or movement restriction until several days later. Other symptoms of whiplash may include the following:

• Neck stiffness

• Injuries to the muscles and ligaments (myofascial injuries)

• Headache or/and dizziness

• Sensations such as pins and needles (called paresthesias)

• Shoulder pain

• Back pain

Diagnosis of Whiplash

Firstly, your chiropractor will also ask detailed questions about the history and how you got the whiplash injury.

The chiropractor will examine the patient to assess, in the immediate stage, whether serious whiplash injury is present that may require hospital and/or surgical referral, and to identify specific tissues that have been injured.

Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical examination which will include testing muscles and the movement of the joints in and around your neck.

Based on this diagnosis of the whiplash injury, your chiropractor will then determine whether any additional tests (such as x-rays or MRI) are required. Once all the necessary information has been gathered, the chiropractor will make a determination as to the best course of action required. This will probably be a chiropractic treatment plan but could be onward referral to another specialist.

Chiropractic treatment of whiplash

Chiropractic spinal manipulation: This is the primary treatment for joint dysfunction and restriction. The chiropractor gently moves the involved joint into the direction in which it is restricted, This may involve the use of a short thrust in that direction. In some cases, instead of a thrust, a slow mobilizing movement may be used by your chiropractor.

Muscle relaxation & trigger point therapy: Chiropractic treatments for muscle dysfunction related for a whiplash injury consist of gentle stretches to the muscle that has excessive tension. If the muscle is very tight, a more vigorous stretch may be applied by the chiropractor. Gentle finger pressure techniques may be applied to trigger points to relieve the pain associated with the tight muscles.

McKenzie exercises: These exercises specifically designed to treat intervertebral disc injury related to a whiplash. These exercises consist of simple movements done initially in the chiropractic clinic which, after a while can be done by the patient at home. These exercises help the patient to take an active role in his or her own recovery.

Ergonomic and lifestyle advice for a whiplash injury: Your chiropractor will suggest improvements for everyday activities such as how to sit at a desk or how to improve your posture. The advice addresses factors in an individual’s work, home or recreational activities that perpetuate the dysfunctions that result from the accident. Your chiropractor may teach the patient some home exercises to do. Most people do not realise they have ergonomic issues until they are pointed out to them, but they can be helped.