Chiropractic Natural Medicine Center
(formally Hoffman Chiropractic Center)



950 N. Courtenay Pkwy. Suite 1, Merritt Island, FL 32953
(behind McDonald's) 321-453-2844

 

HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED OR INVOLVED
IN A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH?

There are approximately 3 million, rear-end motor vehicle crashes (MVC) per year in the united states; of those nearly 50% continue to experience symptoms 2 years following the crash, and approximately 300,000 people per year will be disabled.
Chiropractic Rehab

These numbers represent a growing public health problem, and for this reason our office is committed to addressing both the prevention and treatment of motor vehicle injuries. In pursuit of this commitment our doctors have completed additional training in the area of accident injury mechanism, treatment protocols, and documentation.

HISTORY OF WHIPLASH
Whiplash was first reported in 1928, as the automobile began to be widely used many more whiplash cases began to be reported. The National Safety Council estimated that in 1971 alone there were 3.8 million rear end collisions resulting in more than 1 million injuries. Of these MVC, 73% of those injuries resulted from "minor crashes" in which neither of the cars involved required towing according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Despite these so called "minor accidents" (generally considered less 10 mph), research finds that 45% of those with whiplash injuries were still suffering from related symptoms 2 years after their claims were settled.

In recent years, there has been a growing myth that motor vehicle injuries should last only 6- 12 weeks and often spontaneously resolve without treatment or residual problems or pain. This myth has likely continued because motor vehicle injures, although reported for many years and affecting large number of individuals, are not always easy to diagnose. Unfortunately, these injuries frequently do not show on x-ray, except in severe cases in which bones are broken. Whiplash injuries typically involve the soft tissue, muscles, ligaments, nerve fibers, joint membranes, and vertebral discs, which often require more specific diagnostic tools such as CAT Scans or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to identify.

JUST HOW DOES WHIPLASH HAPPEN?

The mechanism involved in a Whiplash injury occurs as several different forces over a period of milliseconds act on the body but the basic description is described here.

The initial impact occurs from the rear causing compression of the cervical vertebrae and disc, the car is pushed forward causing the neck to move into extension (backward), the head should make contact with the head restraint which begins to move the head forward. Eventually, the seatbelt restrains the torso from moving further forward; this stop of the torso results in the head/neck being thrust into flexion (forward). The backwar and forward movement of the head/neck that result is whiplash. To give you a perspective of the violent nature of whiplash, when struck at just 8 mph by a similar vehicle, your head under goes forces equivalent 8 times that of gravity (8G's). As stated previously, MVC injuries can fracture bones, injury and tear ligaments and muscles, damage nerves, arteries and veins. Remember if you are told your x-rays are normal following an MVC this does not mean there is no problem or you should pain free; it only means the problem was not identified on the x-ray.

The severity of the injuries depends on numerous factors; however research finds the most important factor affecting injury is personal risk factors. The condition of tissues (the flexibility of muscles, the stability of the ligaments, strength of muscles supporting, condition of the joints/arthritis) present prior to the MVC plays a large role in the degree of injury sustained. This explains why two people can be in the same crash and one walks away without a scratch and the other person is left with permanent injury and pain. Understanding and knowing risk factors for acute and chronic pain is imperative when your doctor is assessing your prognosis and the duration of treatment. Again the doctors in our clinic have devoted additional time and training into understanding these factors which must be addressed.

Another important risk factor associated with injury risk is the position of the head with respect to the head restraint; known as head restraint geometry. The ideal position is the top of the head restraint level with top of the head, and set pproximately 2" from the back of the skull. Neck injuries are likely to be worse if set too low. Even at the right height, it must be close enough to catch the head in time (about 2 inches). The seat reclined too far will enlarge the head to head restraint distance as will the poor posture of leaning slightly forward (typical of the elderly or people watching for the light to turn).

There are many other risk factors that predispose one to further injury and additional pain which can further complicate and increase the difficulty to restore the injuried area back to normal.

BASIC WHIPLASH SYMPTOMS

NECK PAIN
DIZZINESS
HEADACHE
LIGHTHEADEDNESS,
OR DISORIENTATION
SHOULDER PAIN
 VERTIGO
LOW BACK PAIN
DIFFICULTY SWOLLOWING
NAUSEA
FATIGUE OR IRRITABILITY
RINGING IN EARS

SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSIVE HEAD INJURIES

HEADACHE
NECK PAIN
INSOMNIA
DIZZINESS
DEPRESSION OR
MOOD SWINGS 		ANXIETY
IRRITABILITY
MEMORY LOSS
DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING
INTOLERENCE TO ALCOHOL

TREATMENT FOR WHIPLASH INJURIES

Whiplash injuries can be so slight you are not even aware you are injured at first, or extremely severe with multiple broken bones. Even if you feel normal after an accident, with no symptoms, you should be thoroughly examined because symptoms can be delayed for days and in some cases may not surface for years. An injured joint when not treated will slowly degenerate only to cause symptoms several years later. This delayed degeneration makes it very important to be examined after any accident.

Historically, medical treatment has emphasized rest, immobilization, and medication to relieve pain associated with soft tissue injuries. Contrarily, the doctors in our office emphasized active therapy and quick return to daily activities to restore full function as soon as possible. Chiropractors and M.D.'s may both recommend immobilization for a few days with periodic ice application. But thereafter the standard medical treatment was continued rest and immobilization with a soft cervical collar. Chiropractic care in contrast, begins with active assisted exercises, manipulation and later progressing to active resisted exercises for the injured area.

Medical experts are beginning to recognize active care as the treatment of choice. In 1986, Mealy, an M.D. and his colleagues; published a study in the British Medical Journal regarding patients with soft tissue whiplash injuries. One group was given standard treatment (rest and immobilization) while the second group received ice and immobilization for 24 hours followed by manipulative techniques and a regimen of daily exercises. At both 4 weeks and 8 weeks the group was given active treatment showed significantly increased motion in the injured area as well as significantly less pain as compared to the group receiving standard treatment. They concluded that early active care was to be preferred. Another M.D., Ameis, who is a Canadian rehabilitation specialist, in 1986 also published an article, which warns against extended rest and dependency on drugs. He recommends early physical measures and goes so far as to say that "passive management of whiplash injury may ultimately prove not to have been benign."

Our office tailors the treatment plan to each individual, but in all cases are goal is the reduction of pain and the return to normal activities. We do this through chiropractic manipulation, physical therapy agents, and rehabilitative exercises.

Having read this we want you to understand that whiplash is a serious injury that requires very specific treatment and our office has both the understanding and necessary tool to effectively treat your symptoms. If you have experienced a recent accident, contact our office where we focus on spinal injuries using time proven methods of care for whiplash.

TOP 10 SAFE DRIVING TIPS

(Tip #1.)
Avoid Rear-end Collisions by maintaining safe driving distances. Keep at least two seconds following distance between you and any vehicle in front of you. Watch the vehicle ahead pass some fixed point and count off the seconds it takes you to reach the same spot.

(Tip #2.)
Avoid Rear-end Collisions by using your turn signals (intention signals), signaling well in advance for turns, stops and lane changes. Slow down GRADUALLY and avoid sudden actions.

(Tip #3.)
If you Drink, DON"T DRIVE. Even one drink of alcohol can affect your driving. It takes about one hour for your body to get rid of each drink. With two or more drinks, you are impaired and could be arrested!!

(Tip #4.)
Use Extra Caution At Intersections. More accidents occur at intersections then any other place. Look both ways and be ready to brake or stop. Do not pass or change lanes 50 feet before the intersection and in the intersection.

(Tip #5.)
Keep To The Right. Slower traffic must keep to the right and yield the right of way to faster traveling vehicles. This avoids road rage and having vehicles pass you on the right, possibly being in your "blind spot".

(Tip #6.)
Come To A Complete Stop At Intersections Before Making A Right Turn. Look both ways, and then look again. Stop BEHIND the stop bar. Watch out for pedestrians.

(Tip #7.)
Drive With The Flow Of The Traffic (within the speed limit). Driving too slowly can be as dangerous as driving too fast.

(Tip #8.)
Avoid Distractions such as cell phones, cigarette smoking, changing tapes/CD's, sight seeing, and distractions by children. Keep your eyes on your driving. Even a 1 second distraction can cost you 88 feet of traveling distance before you can even begin to react at 60 miles per hour.

(Tip #9.)
Don't overdrive your headlights at night-time. Travel only as fast as you can safely stop with-in your "visibility range" which can vary due to rain, moisture, fog and haze.

(Tip #10.)
Don't be A Victim of Running a Red Light (Either you or someone else running the light). Yellow means stop if you can BEFORE the intersection at the stop line. BEFORE proceeding from a previous red light look both ways to make sure traffic has stopped in both directions.


Disclaimer: The medical information and procedures contained in this web site are not intended as a substitute for consulting your physician. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness using the information in this site should come under the direction of your treating physician. Because there is always some risk involved, our office is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the suggestions or procedures in this site. All matters regarding your health should be supervised by your doctor.

copyright © 2002 - 2009 Dr. Bill Hoffman