Whiplash & Neck Injuries

Whiplash is the description of how an injury occurred. It doesn’t necessarily suggest that it has to be a car accident. It could happen on the sporting field, the netball court or even from a fall or accident.  The spine, usually the head and neck, is unexpectedly thrown very quickly in one direction and then rebounded in the opposite direction. The vast majority of whiplash sufferers have misaligned spinal bones (cervical vertebrae), as well as significant soft tissue stress, irritation or damage.

The symptoms of whiplash can include neck soreness and stiffness, headaches, pain and/or numbness in the hands, concussion, blurred vision, and even internal organ problems. Some whiplash victims heal rapidly and yet others may suffer long-term chronic pain and impairment; between 50%-88% of sufferers may continue to experience pain and some amount of disability for many years after the accident.

Chiropractic effectiveness with whiplash sufferers has long been observed and reported- “Whiplash injuries are common. Chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment in chronic cases.” Any accident may cause the vertebral subluxation complex where the spinal bones are out of proper alignment and irritating or damaging spinal nerves. If you’re ever involved in an accident, whiplash or otherwise, a Chiropractor can help your body heal as completely as possible. Even trauma or injury from many years ago can be responsible for seemingly unrelated health problems that you may suffer from today.

From the Abstract of: A multiple parameter assessment of whiplash injury patients undergoing subluxation-based chiropractic care: a retrospective study. McCoy HG and McCoy M. Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research Vol 1, No 3, 1997

 A retrospective study was conducted of 57 subjects who had experienced and acceleration/deceleration (whiplash) injury…. Collectively, in association with subluxation-based chiropractic care, the subject population showed significant increases in cervical flexion and extension, muscle strength, and a decrease in the neck pain disability index.