Southern Nevada Chiropractic Car Accident Treatment Centers

All You Need to Know About Whiplash and Expert’s Differing Views

Although most people who survive a car crash with injuries get better and go on to lead normal lives, in 10 percent of the cases, it marks the beginning of chronic pain and difficulty performing normal daily activities, even after sustained car accident treatment. Although most of these injuries are mostly associated with car crashes, they can also be the result of any blow or impact that jerks your head forward or backward causing severe strain to the neck.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash, also known as WAD (Whiplash Associated Disorder), is a type of injury to the neck that is caused by a sudden forward, backward or sideways movement of the head. It most commonly caused by motor vehicle collisions but it can also be the result of a sports injury, violent act, slip or fall.
There are varying degrees of injury, from minor to catastrophic. It all depends on the circumstances of each particular case. Different experts continue to have different views about chronic whiplash syndrome (CWS) and how the different cases need to be managed.

Differing views by experts

The big question is: Does WAD only have to do with the physical injuries or the state of mind as well? Some experts argue that if the severe head or neck pain persists after one year, then the WAD patient has a problem physically. The approach is different from one car accident doctor to another.
Dr. Nikolai Bogduk who teaches at the University of Newcastle, Australia and some of his colleagues have tried to anesthetize certain neck nerves in an attempt to understand where the pain comes from. They give the patient the option to either have the nerve burned or cauterized. In most cases, the pain relief is quite significant. They also admit that the psychological symptoms are not the cause of pain but the result of pain.
Another expert, Dr. Henry Berry, University of Toronto, has a completely different argument. According to him, the approach has to be two-pronged. It is not just about the patient’s injuries but also his or her state of mind. According to Dr. Berry, the symptoms are the result of stress and psychiatric disorders as a person struggles to adjust to life after the injury. He argues that the patient should be assured that the pain is temporary and says that the physical therapy should not last more than two weeks. He encourages patients to go back to normal activities as soon as possible.
However, Dr. Berry’s argument is countered by Oregon University’s Dr. Michael D. Freeman who has a background in forensic science and epidemiology. His point is that there is no such thing as psychological disturbance since nearly half of the cases of chronic neck pain are primarily the result of car crashes and not psychological causes.

Chiropractors are the best

According to many studies, a car accident chiropractor will offer fast and cost effective benefits for whiplash patients. A chiropractor is the fastest route to a swift return to work and high patient satisfaction.

Facts about chronic whiplash syndrome

A southern Nevada chiropractic is always dealing with victims of car accidents. Most of the injuries he or she has to deal with involve muscle and ligament injuries to the neck or upper back. They are the result of violent movements of the neck, which cause the joints and muscles and ligaments to overstretch.
Here are some factors that you need to understand about CWS:

  1. It is not the result of car accidents only
    Although car accidents are the most common cause of whiplash injuries, it can also be caused by slips and falls and contact sports such as boxing, football or gymnastics.
  2. Symptoms don’t always occur immediately
    There are symptoms that develop over time after the accident. Some take days or even weeks to manifest themselves. These include muscle spasms, headaches and tingling. Since they occur later, it is easy for one not to see the connection between them and the accident.
  3. Chiropractors can be very effective
    Chiropractic care is a great way to deal with whiplash injuries after an accident. Southern Nevada chiropractic caregivers have helped many accident victims deal with whiplash injuries.
  4. Whiplash is not always caused by extreme force

There are whiplash injury victims who sustained their injuries driving at 10 miles per hour or lower. It’s all about how properly you are restrained you are in the vehicle.

Bottom line

Whenever you are involved in a car accident, even a minor one, it is important to seek medical attention even when the injuries are not too apparent. Some whiplash injuries are not always felt immediately. It is also important to be properly restrained whenever you are driving or riding in a car. Always remember to wear a safety belt.