Whiplash Injuries - Serious Spinal Trauma - Chiropractic Treatment for Whiplash

Whiplash Injuries - Serious Spinal Trauma
by American Chiropractic Association
Massachusetts Chiropractic Society, Inc.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is a generic term applied to certain injuries of the neck. Injuries that occur when the neck is suddenly and/or violently jolted in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement. Whiplash is most commonly seen in people involved in motor vehicle accidents, but it can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work injuries, and other incidents. Most whiplash injuries are associated with forward and backward movement of the head and neck on the shoulders. Side-impact crashes, or crashes when that happen while a personÌs head is turned, may result in side-to-side or even oblique whiplash-style injuries to the neck. Although severe whiplash injuries can result in paralysis and even death, most such injuries range from relatively mild to moderate. Keep in mind that even mild injuries may have a significant effect on the spine and your health.

What structures are injured in a whiplash?

Whiplash most often results in sprain and strain injuries of the neck. A sprain of the spine occurs when the ligaments that help support, protect, and restrict excessive movement of the vertebrae are torn. The joints in the back of the spine are called the facet joints; ligaments called facet capsules cover these joints. The facet capsules seem to be particularly susceptible to whiplash injury. Additionally, muscles and tendons are strained during a whiplash injury. They are stretched beyond their normal limits, causing tears within the muscles and tendons. The discs between the vertebrae, which are essentially ligaments, can be torn, potentially causing a disc herniation. The nerve roots between the vertebrae may also be stretched and become inflamed. Even though it is rare, vertebrae can be fractured and/or dislocated in a whiplash injury.

What are the common signs and symptoms of whiplash?

Approximately two thirds of people involved in motor vehicle accidents develop symptoms of whiplash. Interestingly, the violence of the crash is not a definitive indicator of pain or even the amount of pain. Generally speaking, however, those involved in more severe accidents have more signs and symptoms.

Another important and interesting aspect of whiplash is that the signs and symptoms often do not develop until 2 to 48 hours after the injury. This scenario is relatively common but not completely understood. Some speculate that it may be due to delayed muscle soreness, a condition seen in other circumstances.

The most common symptoms of whiplash are pain and stiffness in the neck. These symptoms are generally found in the areas that are Ïwhiplashed.Ó To illustrate what can happen during a whiplash, imagine ...