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WHIPLASH
The term
"whiplash" was first used in 1928 to define
an injury mechanism of sudden hyperextension
followed by an immediate hyperflexion of the
neck that results in damage to the muscles,
ligaments and tendons – especially those
that support the head. Today, we know that
whiplash injuries frequently do not result
from hyperextension or hyperflexion
(extension and flexion beyond normal
physiological limits), but rather an
extremely rapid extension and flexion that
causes injuries. Due to their complicated
nature and profound
impact on peoples lives,
few topics in health care generate as much
controversy as whiplash injuries. Unlike a
broken bone where a simple x-ray can
validate the presence of the fracture and
standards of care can direct a health care
professional as to the best way in which to
handle the injury, whiplash injuries involve
an unpredictable combination of nervous
system, muscles joints and connective tissue
disruption that is not simple to diagnose
and can be even more of a challenge to
treat. In order to help you understand the
nature of whiplash injuries and how they
should be treated, it is necessary to sit
with your chiropractor and discuss the
mechanics of how whiplash injuries occur and
what solutions are available in treatment.
Medical
Intervention In some severe cases of
whiplash, it may be necessary to have some
medical care as part of your overall
treatment plan. The most common medical
treatments include the use of
anti-inflammatory medications, muscle
relaxants, trigger point injections and, in
some cases, epidural spinal injections.
These therapies should be used for
short-term relief of pain, if necessary, and
not be the focus of treatment. After all, a
drug cannot restore normal joint movement
and stimulate healthy muscle repair.
Fortunately, surgery is only needed in some
cases of herniated discs, when the disc is
pressing on the spinal cord, and in some
cases of spine fractures.
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