Auto Accidents

If you have been involved in a car accident, you may have sustained a whiplash injury. Whiplash is a term for the sudden whipping action of the head following an impact (typically from behind). However many refer to any type of collision (frontal, side or rear impact) as whiplash.

Whiplash results in damage to the supporting structures of the neck and back. Muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage comprise the supporting or holding tissues of joints. Blood vessels and nerves are other important components that can suffer injury during a whiplash event.

Collisions where impact occurs to the front or side of the vehicle result in forces that are described as being deceleration or rapid slow down in nature. Rear impact collisions have forces that are acceleration followed by deceleration which provides a different mechanism of injury for victims. These rear impact acceleration/deceleration collisions can cause injury even in a seemingly minor crash. Regardless of the type of collision, injuries may have occurred. Proper evaluation and care are needed to avoid or lessen potential problems in the future.

The impact to the vehicle causes the head, neck and torso of an occupant to undergo sudden movements in an extremely rapid manner. This almost always causes a jarring or jerking effect which is difficult for the body to tolerate. The head, weighing between 10-12 pounds in adults, adds to the forces of the impact as it sends the head into motion. The holding structures of the spinal joints, while quite strong, are simply not able to withstand the combination of force and speed noted in collisions. The motions may be great and extremely violent or much less. Researchers have found, however, that even a low speed/low impact collision can produce damaging forces in rear or lateral impacts. They have also found the damage to a vehicle is not a predictor for injuries the occupants have sustained.

Whiplash injuries need to be taken very seriously. The initial symptoms can be varied. Some are quite notable as stiffness, tenderness and pain upon moving throughout the neck, back, head or extremities. Others may be quiet initially only to be noted once activities of daily living provide stress to the injury sites. Some symptoms can take weeks or months to manifest, causing the victim to be fooled into thinking no injury occurred. Remember, it is the suddenness and speed of the “jerking motion” that causes injury especially in so called minor accidents. Even a parking incident can cause injury from that unexpected change of motion…especially if you currently or previously have had a neck or back problem.

Too often people don't seek treatment immediately following a car accident because they don't feel hurt. Or if they do feel stiff and sore they think it will go away in a few days. Unfortunately, by the time more serious complications develop, some of the damage may have become more difficult to resolve. Here’s why. Stiffness is the most common mild symptom following a minor collision. Stiffness is a restriction of motion in a joint that has been hurt (not unlike “overdoing it” with seasonal chores). The injury triggers inflammation which triggers the nerves to cause muscle spasms to act as a “splint” for the injury site. Joint restriction or immobilization triggers activation of pain nerves. Pain causes more spasm, more pain and on and on. This is a “vicious cycle.” If this cycle isn’t broken by restoring joint motion (properly so the function will also return) the joint will begin to deteriorate. Numerous studies have shown that years after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, roughly half of them still suffer with recurrent symptoms from their injuries.

Many injuries are minor and will resolve within a short period of time. Others, however, cause serious damage that can have long term if not permanent effects. Early evaluation and treatment can decrease the pain and provide a better healing environment to lessen the effects of collision injuries. Chiropractic treatment provides the perfect combination of pain relief and restoration of joint function following such an injury. We also encourage the use of massage therapy, strengthening and core stabilization work. These services are available at Mile Hill Chiropractic for you convenience.