Whiplash Injury
Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person's neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force, most commonly from motor vehicle accidents. Whiplash is commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, usually when the vehicle has been hit in the rear; however, the injury can be sustained in many other ways, including falls from stools or bicycles.
Causes of Whiplash Injury
The exact injury mechanism that causes whiplash injuries is unknown. A whiplash injury may be the result of impulsive stretching of the spine, mainly the ligament: anterior longitudinal ligament which is stretched or tears, as the head snaps forward and then back again causing a whiplash injury. Whiplash is most commonly caused by a motor vehicle accident in which the car the person is riding in is not moving, and is struck from a vehicle from behind without notice. It is commonly thought the rear impact causes the head and neck to be forced into hyperextension as the seat pushes the person's torso forward - and the unrestrained head and neck fall backwards. After a short delay the head and neck then recover and are thrown into a hyperflexed position.
Symptoms of Whiplash Injury
Whiplash Injury symptoms reported by sufferers include: pain and aching to the neck and back, referred pain to the shoulders, sensory disturbance (such as pins and needles) to the arms & legs and headaches. Symptoms can appear directly after the injury, but often are not felt until days afterwards.
Treatment of Whiplash Injury
Treatment of whiplash depends on the wide variety of symptoms present. Treatments for whiplash injury include rest, ice and/or heat treatments, a cervial collar for usually for about 2 weeks and medications. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are helpful which includes range of motion exercises, massage, electrical stimulation, and cervical traction.
Find out how your Whiplash Injury Problem can be more effectively treated. For enquiries Call:(+65) 6471 2743, or EmailUs
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