What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissue in the neck. It's also referred to as a neck sprain or neck strain. There are a number of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion. This commonly occurs due to a automobile accident and may include injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots. Symptoms usually including neck pain may be present directly after the injury or may be delayed and appear several days later. In addition to neck pain, there are other symptoms that may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments (myofascial injuries), headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling (paresthesias), shoulder or back pain. In addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression.

The Result of a Rear End Collision
The neck is upright before the collision. Immediately after the impact, the car seat pushes the torso forward while the head remains stationary. At the same time, the torso "ramps" up the seat, compressing the cervical spine. The spine forms an S-shaped curve at about 75 milliseconds into the collision before the musculature of the neck has a chance to react. An S-shaped curve results and causes a sharp bending in just a few spinal segments. After the sharp bending occurs, the spine fully extends (head goes backward). Historically, this is the point where most scientists thought injury occurred. The latest study on this issue shows that the joint capsule of a few segments of the cervical spine undergoes such excessive stress that the joint capsules can be torn or the cartilage in the joint itself can be "pinched," resulting in tissue damage and pain.

The speed of the collision and damage to the vehicles can be very misleading. Federal motor vehicle safety standards mandate that all cars sold in or imported to the U.S. have either a 2.5 or a 5mph bumper. What happens when two cars, each equipped with 5mph bumpers, collide at 9mph? They would very likely be able to absorb the energy without any apparent damage. However, much of this energy has been shown to be transferred directly to the occupant, and this means whiplash.

Forces generated in whiplash injury have been shown to be 2 1/2 times the forces sustained by the vehicle. And, although insurance industry-funded crash testing has shown that 5mph is the real threshold for neck injuries, you'll never hear them admit it publicly. Another common myth is that all whiplash injuries will heal spontaneously within a few weeks. There has NEVER been any valid research published which supports this claim.

After a whiplash injury, healing of nerves, ligaments, muscles and tendons occurs with scar tissue formation rather than by regeneration of the damaged tissue. Scar tissue is weaker, less elastic, less pliable and more pain sensitive than healthy tissue. This makes prompt and proper treatment essential for healing and rehabilitation. So, what is the best treatment for whiplash? Chiropractic care! Make an appointment immediately after the accident so we may begin your treatment quickly.