What treatment works best for disorders associated with whiplash?

Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is a term that describes injuries that can occur after a sports collision, motor vehicle accident, or slip and fall. There may be a constellation of complaints including neck pain, upper back pain, headaches, dizziness, and pain radiating to the arms. Most health professionals agree that a conservative, nonsurgical approach is the best method of treating WAD. Research studies show that chiropractic care tends to be very helpful in relieving pain and restoring function in the treatment of whiplash-associated disorders.

It must be said that “whiplash” is more of a layman’s term than a medical term. Describes a neck injury due to rapid, forceful movement of the neck back and forth, like the crack of a whip. Of course, this violent movement during an accident can cause damage to the neck tissues, especially the soft tissues.

The soft tissues of the neck include muscles, ligaments, and fascia. The small joints between the neck bones, called the cervical vertebrae, can also be damaged. These joints, called facet joints, can become misaligned and move properly.

There has been a lot of research on disorders associated with whiplash. Studies generally address the immediate post-injury period, which is called the acute phase (less than two weeks), the subacute phase (2 to 12 weeks), and the chronic phase (three months or more).

It should be noted that a consensus of research studies showed that exercise and cervical manipulation and mobilization are recommended for pain relief and restoration of function in each phase of recovery. Perhaps surprisingly, immobilization and lack of movement, such as occurs when wearing a soft neck brace, was not effective and may even impede recovery.

Chiropractic care in the treatment of WAD involves manipulation and mobilization. These two forms of treatment focus on restoring normal alignment and proper motion to the facet joints of the cervical spine. This helps patients gain pain relief and the ability to restore normal function to activities of daily living at home, work, and recreational and social activities.

The exercises, which are commonly recommended by chiropractic doctors, focus on stretching and strengthening the soft tissues. These exercises speed healing and pain relief and help, in the long run, to improve upper body posture to prevent painful conditions from recurring.

It is best if chiropractic care is started in the acute and subacute phases. Damage to the soft tissues and facet joints of the cervical spine have the best chance of healing when treatment is started within the first three months after an accident to achieve pain relief. Permanent ill effects such as scar tissue, degeneration, and arthritis are more likely to occur if chiropractic treatment is not administered early in the restoration process.

Chiropractic care started soon after the onset of a whiplash-associated disorder could make the difference between health or disability, comfort or pain.