Whiplash

Whiplash is described as an injury to the cervical spine resulting from a sudden acceleration and deceleration trauma, most common with rear end automobile collisions. As a car is suddenly hit from behind, the occupant’s body is jolted forward while the head remains in the same position. This causes a spontaneous backward strain on the curve in the neck which can damage ligaments that hold the bones in their natural alignment.

A significant load is placed on the ligaments, discs and joints of the neck during the peak of the whiplash injury. Even a 5mph collision puts the neck and head under 4.5 times the force of gravity. Numerous factors play into the overall whiplash trauma, such as direction of impact, speed of the vehicles involved, as well as gender, age and physical condition. It is impossible to predict the pattern of symptoms that each individual will suffer.

Neck pain is the single most common complaint in a whiplash trauma, being reported by over 90% of patients. Often this pain radiates across the shoulders, up into the head, and down between the shoulder blades. Whiplash injuries tend to affect all of the tissues in the neck, including the facet joints and discs between the vertebrae, as well as the muscles, ligaments and nerves. Neck pain and headaches are the most prevalent complaint among those suffering from whiplash injury, affecting more than 80% of all people. While some headaches are actually the result of direct brain injury, most are related to injury of the nerves, muscles, ligaments and facet joins of the cervical spine, which refer pain to the head. Because of this, it is important to treat the supporting structure of your neck in order to alleviate your headaches. Other common complaints include pins and needles in the arms, TMJ problems, brain injury, dizziness and low back pain.

Additionally, whiplash symptoms commonly have a delayed onset, often taking weeks or months to present. With proper care, many mild whiplash injuries heal within six to nine months. However, more than 20% of those who suffer from whiplash injuries continue to suffer from pain, weakness or restricted movement years after their accident.

The Pierce Clinic of Chiropractic specializes in a revolutionary healthcare procedure called the Advanced Orthogonal (AdvO) technique. This innovative approach focuses on identifying and precisely correcting the often subtle misalignment of the uppermost vertebra, the C1 (Atlas), using a precision percussion wave adjustment. Misalignments in the upper neck can interfere with nerve function, disrupting the body’s natural healing process and potentially leading to chronic discomfort if left unaddressed. Whiplash injuries, in particular, can cause significant trauma to the upper cervical area, making this gentle and targeted alignment an ideal solution for recovery. By restoring proper alignment, the Advanced Orthogonal technique has helped countless individuals find relief from the debilitating effects of whiplash injuries.