Car wrecks are a common occurrence in today’s society. These accidents contribute to chronic pain and many lost days of work. The Spine Research Institute has indicated as much as 45% of today’s chronic neck pain sufferers are ailing as a direct result of a previous motor vehicle collision (MVC). It is estimated that between one and three million automobile crashes occur annually that result in bodily injury.
Whiplash injuries (acceleration / deceleration injuries) are the most common cause of bodily damage following a vehicular crash. These type injuries are the result of rapid forward acceleration of the body at the time of impact, then deceleration of the body, which is accomplished by the bodies own reflexes to slow down the forward acceleration. It takes only a few hundredths of a second for this injury mechanism to occur. Research is ongoing to develop new safer methods and equipment to reduce the incidence of these type injuries.
New research emphasis to reduce the number and magnitude of automobile occupant injuries involves two approaches. The first involves technology and equipment to reduce the number of crashes due to human error. A few examples of this include: more clearly marked road signs, brighter road reflectors to distinguish lanes, better road drainage to reduce water build up on roads, and more user friendly inside automobile control dials to aid in safer operation of the vehicle while driving. The second approach involves vehicle design. Manufactures are placing a higher priority on avoidance of crash and occupant safety by designing the vehicles to absorb more of the impact during collisions, thus diverting the danger away from the occupant, and improving the vision of the driver. This has been accomplished by using new composite material designed to absorb more of the impact, safer bumpers, collapsible engines, improved windshield design, and better headlamps. These are a few of the ongoing safety approaches that have been documented to save lives and reduce occupant injury.
More common safety devices used in automobiles include airbags, seat belts, harnesses, head restraints, antilock breaks, and child seats. Airbags are deployed to protect the occupant from striking hard surfaces such as steering wheels, dash boards, and windshields. Airbags are most effective when used in conjunction with a seat belt and harness and is deployed toward the occupant at somewhere between 165 and 210 mph. Because airbags are deployed at such a great speed, their force sometimes causes injuries that would have otherwise been avoided. Head restraints have been mandated in all passenger vehicles in the United States since 1969. Head restraints, specifically designed to reduce whiplash type injuries, are the adjustable cushions attached to the seat behind the head. The purpose of head restraints are to reduce backward movement of the head during rear impact collisions. Antilock breaks are designed to allow maximum breaking on dry or wet surfaces while at the same time, allowing the driver to steer normally. Child safety seats are designed to function with the same safety features as an adult seat, without the airbag. Although all the above devices are designed to protect the occupants against death and bodily damage, multiple injuries producing multiple symptoms do occur.
The most common symptoms associated with whiplash injuries are; headaches, neck pain, back pain, arm pain, leg pain, dizziness, and blurred vision. Other symptoms may not be so obvious. Symptoms may be experienced immediately following a collision, or develop weeks later. The severity of the injuries and the duration of the symptoms are dependent upon numerous factors. Some obvious factors include: size of the vehicles involved in the collision, direction of the impact, position of the neck at time of impact, the age of the occupants, occupants gender, preexisting health conditions, and any previous injuries. Once an accident has occurred, it is important all occupants be thoroughly evaluated for bodily injuries.
Proper identification of an injury following evaluation is important in deciding appropriate treatment to allow the best recovery possible.
Treatment duration for whiplash injuries can range anywhere between ten weeks to a life time. Unfortunately some injuries are permanent and do require a life time of treatment management. Other more serious injuries may require surgery to repair the damages, however, most injuries respond best with more conservative care including chiropractic management accompanied by other physical medicine modalities, therapeutic exercise, acupuncture, prescription and over the counter medications, home self help treatment, and rest. The goal of whiplash injury recovery is reduction of internal bleeding (inflammation), reduction of muscle spasms and muscle hyper toxicity, diminish scar tissue formation, restoration of normal posture, and restoring normal spinal and extremity motion.
The skilled doctors at Caraway & Branch Chiropractic Clinic have extensive training and experience in the evaluation and management of whiplash injuries. For more information about whiplash injuries, or chiropractic care, go to our website at caraway branch.com.