Whiplash is an all-too-common consequence of the more than one million rear-end collisions that take place in the United States every year. Although the classic symptoms of whiplash (headache, dizziness, neck, shoulder, jaw and/or arm pain) may subside after a few weeks of appropriate care, it¹s estimated that nearly one in four cases will become chronic, resulting in long-term discomfort and disability.

Chiropractic may offer the best opportunity for relief from the pain of whiplash, according to a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine. Ninety-three patients with chronic whiplash symptoms were divided into three groups based upon the nature and severity of their symptoms. All 93 patients received an average of 19.3 chiropractic adjustments over the study period (about four months).

Results showed that two of the three groups (patients with neck pain, restricted neck range of motion and/or neurological symptoms) improved under chiropractic care, with 85.5% reporting “some benefit,” 33.5% improving by two symptom grades, and 31% being relieved of all symptoms.

If you or a loved one is suffering from whiplash, make an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. As the authors of this study conclude, when it comes to treating whiplash,”chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment.”

Reference:
Khan S, Cook J, Gargan M, et al. Asymptomatic classification of whiplash injury and the implications for treatment. Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine 1999: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp22-25.

Whiplash is a severe injury to the vertebrae, muscles, or ligaments of the neck caused by a sudden forward and backward jerking of the head and neck. It is the most common injury following car accidents, usually happening in rear-end collisions, and causes long-term pain and stiffness in the neck. Other possible symptoms of whiplash include back pain, headache, dizziness, and blurred vision.

A recent edition of the journal Spine offered an updated whiplash review from the Canada-based Quebec Task Force, and proposed regular reviews of known predictive factors. The review included 13 whiplash studies published since 1995. The studies revealed the most common predictors associated with delayed whiplash recovery. Patients with slower recovery times were most likely to be older and female, and to have initial head, neck, or other chronic pain.

Doctors of chiropractic have the skills and training to effectively relieve the pain and other debilitating symptoms of whiplash by restoring your full range of motion, realigning your spine, and increasing the strength and flexibility of your neck muscles. If you experience the symptoms of a whiplash injury in a rear-end car accident – even at 5 mph – seek treatment immediately, no matter how minimal the pain. Don’t wait for the symptoms to go away: By avoiding treatment, you will only prolong your recovery and lower your quality of life.

Reference:
Cote P, Cassidy JD, Carroll L, et al. A systematic review of the prognosis of acute whiplash and a new conceptual framework to synthesize the literature. Spine 2001:26(19), pp. e445-e458.