Whiplash injuries are very common and primarily associates with car and rear-end collisions in particular.
Read-Ended Scenario
1) At 0-50 milliseconds (ms). The car initially propels forward, the seatback pushes the torso forward while the head remains in its original position. This straightens or flattens out the cervical curve.
2) At 50–75 ms. The torso accelerates forward and the head/neck moves backward forming an S-shaped curve. Flexion of the upper cervical region and extension of the lower cervical region stresses the ligaments in the upper and lower cervical spine.
3) At 150-175 ms. The torso is at its maximum forward position in reference to the neck. The head/neck is forced into peak extension (backward bending). The head may contact the head restraint or ride over it if the torso slides up the back of a reclined seat. This can further damage the ligaments in the front of the cervical spine.
4) At 200-600 ms. The head and torso are then thrown forward by the rebound off the seatback. Hyper-flexing the neck and potentially causing further injury to the ligaments in the back of the spine. If the seatbelt is/isn’t in use, the head may strike the steering wheel and/or windshield causing further injury.
MVC Injury
It may seem logical to think that if we can anticipate an impending MVC, then less injury will occur. Unfortunately, this doesn’t hold true. The total length of time it takes for the sequence described above to occur is about 600 ms. We cannot voluntarily contract our muscles in less than 800-1000 ms. Therefore, you simply won’t have time to brace yourself for impact.
If cervical rotation occurs at the time of impact, such as looking into the rearview mirror, then the risk for injury may increase. There is recent evidence suggesting that it is difficult to avoid rotation of the cervical region during a collision because the diagonal path of the chest restraint promotes trunk rotation in the later stage of whiplash as the torso rebounds forward. Nonetheless, looking straight ahead at the time of impact may reduce the degree of injury in some collisions.
To achieve the best long-term outcome, treatment should emphasize movement and exercise as soon as possible. In addition to treatments performed in the clinic, doctors of chiropractic commonly recommend whiplash patients to perform home exercises, home cervical traction, and other self-help methods with the objective of returning to a normal lifestyle as quickly as possible.
