Whiplash—or “whiplash-associated disorders” (WAD)—is a relatively common injury usually linked to a motor vehicle collision (MVC). During the collision, the head whips forwards and backward (when rear-ended) or sideways (if T-boned). So, what is whiplash?
The term “whiplash” encompasses the damage that occurs to the bony spine. In particular, the soft tissues, while the term “WAD” encompasses ALL the associated injuries and symptoms. This includes the psychosocial problems that can arise due to injured tissues and associated loss of activity tolerance. The good news is that WAD is usually NOT life-threatening. It can alter the injured person’s quality of life and bring economic hardship due to poor work tolerance and high medical expenses while insurance companies dispute over who is at fault. The economic burden on society in the United States is estimated to be as high as $30 billion a year. This is due to medical expenses, disability, sick leave, lost productivity, and litigation!
WAD Facts
- 1) People ignore and mistreat WAD due to a lack of understanding about the condition.
- 2) WAD often occurs as a result of a rear-end collision while stationary, such as stopped at a red light.
- 3) Early mobilization, manipulation, and exercise can lead to a more rapid, complete recovery vs. prolonged rest or immobilization or the use of a cervical collar.
- 4) Failure to properly educate and treat the whiplash patient in the first three months can lead to chronic pain, including psychosocial problems such as depression, anxiety, and poor coping.
- 5) While many WAD patients recover without chronic ongoing symptoms, some continue to have problems for years after the injury.
- 6) A low-speed collision can create significant injury due to the forces transferring to the occupants rather than absorbing the crushing metal.
- 7) If the head is turned at the time of impact, the injuries can be worse.
- 8) Mild traumatic brain injury can occur without hitting the head on anything and create significant cognitive problems (like “mental fog”) and headaches.
- 9) High-speed cameras have shown that the lower half of the neck extends backward while the upper half flexes forwards creating an S-shape, which injures the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold the cervical vertebrae together.
- 10) The ENTIRE whiplash process takes place within 500 milliseconds. We cannot voluntarily contract our muscles in less than 800 milliseconds.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of WAD include neck pain/stiffness, headache, shoulder pain/stiffness, dizziness, fatigue, jaw pain, arm pain/tingling/numbness/weakness, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), chest/breast injury, and mid and low back pain. When not properly managed, depression, anxiety, anger, frustration, stress, and more can occur.
As previously stated, patient education, immediate treatment emphasizing movement, proper home/self-management, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and positive thinking together can help to avoid long-term chronic, disabling problems. You need a “quarterback” to guide you through this process—proper chiropractic care is the answer!
