The term whiplash injury represents a collection of symptoms that occur as a result of a soft tissue injury of the neck. This includes over stretching and/or tearing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and disk tissue and/or nerve injuries due to the extreme movements that occur during a whiplash event (usually arising from a car accident). We have discussed the mechanism of whiplash injury and the symptom complex that can arise in the article, Whiplash-Tips to Help with Whiplash Pain.
So the question is – how many patients who sustain a whiplash injury actually improve and recover compared to those that don’t? In one study, it was stated that 43% of patients will suffer long-term symptoms after a whiplash injury. More specifically, if a patient is still symptomatic after 3 months following thewhiplash injury, “…then there is almost a 90% chance that they will remain so.” They go on to state that no conventional treatment has proven to be effective in helping these chronic cases. The purpose of their study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in a group of whiplash patients. To do this, they studied 28 patients (20 women and 8 men, between ages 19-66, mean 39) over a 2-year time frame, injured in motor vehicle collisions which resulted in a whiplash injury. Their symptom severity was graded on an A to D scale (A=minimal symptoms vs. D=disabling symptoms, with B= nuisance and C=Intrusive or partially disabling). Those in Groups C & D either had to significantly modify their work or, they lost their jobs and relied on continual use of medications. The chiropractic treatment included spinal manipulation (adjustments), controlled resistance of muscles to improve stability and coordination, and the use of ice. Treatment from an emergency facility, general practitioner and physical therapy had been previously utilized for on average 15.5 months, before entering this chiropractic treatment study. Initially, 27 of the 28 were classified into symptom groups C or D and symptoms included neck pain (82%), neck stiffness (36%), and other complaints of headache, shoulder, arm and back pain. Following chiropractic treatment 26 of the 28 (93%) improved; 16 by one symptom group and 10 by two symptom groups and this degree of improvement was assessed and agreed upon by both an orthopedic surgeon as well as by a chiropractor. Seventeen (61%) improved to a point of satisfaction where care was discontinued after the 1st assessment with 4 of the 17 considering return for treatment due to a return of symptoms.
This study is very important as over 90% of whiplash injury cases improved from chiropractic treatment, well beyond the point of improvement obtained through standard emergency, family practice and physical therapy. Other studies have pointed out that early intervention with chiropractic manipulation and chiropractic treatment generally results in a more favorable response compared to waiting for longer time periods. To be able to obtain this level of success with chiropractic treatment for whiplash injuries after an average of 15.5 months is truly remarkable!
Chiropractic treatments that are often utilized for patients with a whiplash injury include spinal manipulation (or adjustments), mobilization techniques (this includes stretching, figure 8 movements, manual traction), muscle release work (this includes trigger point therapy, myofascial release/friction massage, and others), and promoting self-help or relief strategies (this includes exercise, home traction methods, computer station modifications and other job modifications as indicated, and others).
We realize you have a choice in your healthcare provider. If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, chiropractic treatment is a logical first choice and, we would be honored to offer our services.
YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR WHIPLASH!
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