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Archive for the 'Whiplash' Category

Risk Factors for Chronic Whiplash

Whiplash describes a mechanism of injury that occurs following the sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck that stretches its various soft tissues beyond their physiological limits leading to sprains, strains, tears, etc. The resulting cluster of symptoms is collectively known as whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Past research suggests that up to half [..]

Whiplash and Upper Cervical Instability

The rapid flexion/extension, compression, and rotation of the cervical spine that commonly occurs in motor vehicle collisions can result in trauma that includes facet derangement, disk injury, and ligament sprain or rupture, frequently occurring in the upper cervical region. When the upper cervical spine exhibits excessive motion in combination with pain and other neurological symptoms, [..]

Whiplash and the Thoracic Spine

Though whiplash associated disorders (WAD) is a term used to encompass the myriad of symptoms associated with whiplash injury, research has largely focused on the neck, and more recently, brain. However, there is another area of the body that often experiences injury during trauma involving the sudden back and forth movement of the head and [..]

Warning about Whiplash in the Pediatric Population

For adults, whiplash injuries are typically associated with motor vehicle collisions, particularly from a rear-end impact that causes a rapid acceleration/deceleration of the head and neck.  However, in the pediatric population, there are many other causes of head and neck trauma that caregivers and healthcare providers need to be on the lookout for as the [..]

Warning Signs for Chronic Whiplash

Whiplash injury can occur from any rapid acceleration/deceleration of the head and neck, and it can lead to a cluster of symptoms including neck pain, headache, dizziness/balance loss, fatigue, depression, irritability, mental fog, tinnitus, and more that is collected under the umbrella term whiplash associated disorders (WAD). The current data suggest that roughly half of [..]

Cervical Spinal Stenosis and Whiplash Injury

Cervical spinal stenosis (CSS) is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the spaces within the spine through which the spinal cord and the nerves pass. The condition becomes more common with age, affecting 6.8% of adults over age 50 and 9% of those over age 70. While it’s not unusual for a CSS patient [..]

Post-Whiplash Headache Risk Factors and Treatment

The International Headache Society lists “headache attributed to whiplash” as a headache that appears or existing headaches that worsen within seven days after a whiplash event (i.e., automobile collision, sports collision, slip and fall, etc.). It’s estimated that up to 60% of whiplash associated disorders (WAD) patients experience such headaches and nearly 40% will continue [..]

Does Arthritis Worsen Whiplash Outcomes?

Cervical spondylosis—also known as cervical osteoarthritis (OA)—is the most common age-related disorder of the cervical spine, which is characterized by degeneration of the intervertebral disks and facet joints as well as spur formation off the vertebral body endplates. Studies have shown that X-rays of 95% of adults over the age of 65 will show signs [..]

Can Whiplash Cause Persistent Dizziness?

It is estimated that up to 50% of whiplash associated disorders (WAD) patients will continue to experience persistent symptoms for a year or longer after their motor vehicle collision, sports collision, or slip and fall. One of the most frequent complaints—affecting nearly seven-in-ten chronic WAD patients—is dysregulation of balance or dizziness. Balance is complex and [..]

Exercise Can Hasten Whiplash Recovery

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) can be a challenging condition to manage, and the current data suggests that up to half of WAD patients may continue to experience pain and disability for up to a year following their car accident, slip and fall, or sports collision. Exercise therapy has long been considered a meaningful treatment option for [..]