| Whiplash – It is simply a term used to describe injury to the soft tissue structures of the cervical spine (neck). The term most accurately describes sprain/strain to the muscles and ligaments of the neck. The diagnosis is determined by the history of accident; mechanism of injury (rear end force); symptoms and physical findings on examination.
How Do I Know If I Have Whiplash?
First, by being the recipient of a trauma to the neck—such as in a car accident. This injury can include neck extension, flexion, downward compression or upward distraction. The bad news is that you can be injured and not have symptoms.
The most common symptoms are:
- Pain in the neck / across the shoulders
- Pain in arm/shoulder/wrist
- Tightness
- Limitation of motion
- Discomfort aggrevated by motion
- Tingling sensation
Other associated symptoms include:
- Headache/Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears with other audio or visual disturbances
- Varying degrees of anxiety
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, have it checked out now. If after an accident or trauma, you notice physical or mental changes including your level of anxiety, the manner in which you react to stress, differences in activities at work, endurance or strength levels, pace, concentration, decision making, physical limits that didn’t exist before and may restrict you in work, at home, during sex, sleeping, energy levels or any interference with recreational activities, you should see a doctor for an evaluation. Research from a study of 5,000 cases indicates that 25% of motor-vehicle accident cases develop chronic disability of some type.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Vol. 23, pgs 179-182, 1987, Research. |
