Winter weather brings a decrease in traction both underfoot and on the roads.  Unfortunately, this leads to an increase in both slip-and-falls as well as motor vehicle accidents, both of which are common causes of whiplash.

Whiplash is a generic term meaning neck pain resulting from acceleration-deceleration injuries where the vertebrae, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the neck are strained.  This often occurs when a vehicle is hit from the rear or the side, causing a sharp and sudden movement of the head and neck.  A slip and fall backwards can cause a similar injury, as can any quick, often unexpected movement that pushes the head beyond its normal range of motion.  Other causes of whiplash injury include sports, amusement park rides, falling objects, and even physical assault.

A whiplash diagnosis is graded according to the severity of symptoms, from the most-common tender muscles or limited neck movement (Grades I to II), to headaches, nausea, dizziness and ringing in the ears, pain into the arms or shoulders, or more severely with neurological complications, fracture or dislocation (Grades III & IV).  Some people will feel fine after an accident, but wake up the next day with symptoms, while others may take weeks or even months for the full extent of the injury to become evident.  Most symptoms of Grades I and II whiplash start within the first two days after the accident, although a later onset of symptoms does not indicate a more serious injury.  Signs of serious neck injury such as fracture are usually evident in early assessments, and health care professionals trained to treat whiplash are alert for these signs.

The vast majority of whiplash injuries are not serious and heal completely within three to six months.  Only 20 percent of people with whiplash injuries experience long-term pain and other problems beyond one year.  While physical treatment such as chiropractic care is effective for whiplash injuries, treatments are intentionally minimal with a focus on the patients’ return to activity.  This is because injured muscles can get stiff and weak when they’re not used, so resting for more than a day or two may actually prolong the pain and disability with mild whiplash.  Returning to activity maintains the health of soft tissues and keeps them flexible, which speeds recovery.  For this reason, cervical collars, or “neck braces” are generally not recommended once more serious injuries are ruled out because they prevent motion and may prolong recovery.
 
One important way to prevent or minimize whiplash injuries from motor vehicle accidents is to use head restraints properly.  These are essential safety features in all modern vehicles that are often mistaken as “head rests” and adjusted for comfort incorrectly, such as lowering them completely to avoid rubbing the back of a ponytail or hat.  A properly-adjusted head restraint – in line with the top of the head and no more than 2 to 5 cm away from the back of the head – will help restrain the head in a rear collision and prevent a whiplash injury from occurring.  Conversely, a head restraint that is too low can actually make an injury worse because it will accentuate the hyperextension that can occur at the neck.

If you do suspect you have sustained a whiplash injury, and especially if you fall or are in a car accident, early assessment and treatment by a healthcare professional is important.  In the case of Grades I to III whiplash, chiropractic care is very effective and is fully covered by automobile insurance if it is a result of an accident.  While symptoms of whiplash can be concerning, proper assessment, treatment, reassurance and activity will help you put it in your rear-view mirror.