Chiropractic

Whiplash Injuries: El Paso Neck Chiropractor

Share

Whiplash is a neck injury where, because loads and displacements develop in the neck, they have become a main interest in the study of whiplash injury mechanisms. Human subject studies, however, have only reported the peak speed of the head relative to a fixed reference frame.

 

Since head acceleration is often the result of head-restraint impact, these peak values might be conducive to whiplash injury and do not reflect loads developed in the tissues of the neck. The kinematics of the head have been computed relative to the axis between the C7-T1 vertebra to supply a better indication of the dynamics. The first peak in the acceleration trace is the result of acceleration of the torso relative to the still-stationary head.

 

This peak is the larger and later acceleration peak, which is governed by the impact between the head restraint and the head. When head acceleration is measured, a result that highlights the importance of quantifying the relative rather than absolute dynamics of the head, the first negative peak isn’t observed.

 

Cause of Whiplash Injuries

Cadaveric, animal, and human subject experiments have led investigators to propose various anatomical sites for whiplash injury, including the cervical facet joints, facet capsular ligaments, vertebral arteries, dorsal root ganglia, craniovertebral junction, and cervical muscles. Muscle injury could be responsible for some symptoms seen in patients, however, of the anatomical sites listed above, only the facet joints have been linked to chronic whiplash pain. The facet joints have therefore become the focus of research directed at understanding the mechanical basis for chronic whiplash injuries.

 

In a study conducted by researchers and colleagues (1996), chronic whiplash pain was relieved in about 60% of whiplash patients by anesthetizing medial branches of the cervical dorsal rami. Articular branches from these nerves run through the capsular tissues and presumably originate in the capsular tissue from mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Possible injury sites inside the facet joints include fractures of the bony elements, bruising of the rectal folds (menisci), or ruptures or tears of the capsular ligament. Bony fractures and aspect hemarthroses are not commonly observed in whiplash patients and are therefore related to loading. Bruising of the folds is common after fatal chest or head injury, and motions of the cervical vertebra consistent with this type of injury have been documented during the severe loading associated with whiplash injury in human subjects.

 

 

Cineradiography used to inspect the intervertebral motion of subjects exposed to simulated influences has shown that the C5 vertebra rotates about a stage than during voluntary expansion moves. This pattern of movement resulted in compression of the facet joints posteriorly through impact-induced motion than during movement and resulted in increased distraction of the vertebral bodies anteriorly. These researchers proposed that the posterior synovial fold might be pinched by posterior compression of the facet joints though this motion that was altered, detected in only four of six subjects. This proposed mechanism of injury is promising, and followup research that quantifies the loads applied to the meniscus during whiplash exposures and the loads necessary to injure the meniscus is necessary to confirm whether this proposed injury mechanism occurs at the loads generated during collisions that produce whiplash injury.

 

 

 

Tears or ruptures to the cervical facet joint capsular ligaments have also been observed under severe loading conditions, and excess capsular ligament strain was proposed as a possible mechanism for whiplash injury under minor- to moderate-loading conditions. The facet joint capsules contain fine, unmyelinated nerves that likely have nociceptive function, and distending these ligaments by injection of contrast media has generated whiplash-like pain patterns in normal individuals. With subsequent loading to failure, the technology strain in the capsular ligaments under both whiplash-like heaps and cadaveric motion sections have recently been quantified. Maximum strains in the facet joint capsular ligaments under loads were, on average, half. In two of the 13 specimens the maximum strains observed in the ligament under whiplash-like heaps were larger than those detected in their initial failure.

 

 

This finding suggested that the neck loads that develop during an automobile accident could injure some individual’s facet capsular ligaments. Further work is needed to determine if these ruptures generate pain and whether the subcatastrophic failures identified with ruptures inside the capsular ligaments in the response of the tissues correlate.

 

Whiplash injury has proved a difficult injury to research because its pathoanatomy has remained poorly understood. The facet joints have been isolated as a site of chronic pain in a large proportion of a population.

 

Human subject testing has provided the essential kinematic and kinetic response information needed to conduct tests of those cells, and tissue evaluations have led to a possible mechanical explanation for whiplash injury. Additional research is required to complete the connection between the whiplash symptoms experienced by some people and an automobile accident. Better understanding of the etiology of whiplash injury will lead to both improved care and improved methods of injury prevention.

 

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

 

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

 

Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries

 

Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, are frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine, as well as to the rest of the spine. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.

 

TRENDING TOPIC: EXTRA EXTRA: New PUSH 24/7®️ Fitness Center

 

 

Post Disclaimers

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Whiplash Injuries: El Paso Neck Chiropractor" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Published by

Recent Posts

Sleep Better Tonight: Try Sleeping with a Pillow Between the Legs

For individuals with back pain, can sleeping with a pillow between or under their knees… Read More

March 27, 2024

Peppermint: A Natural Remedy for Digestive Problems

For individuals dealing with digestive issues or bowel disorders, can adding peppermint to a nutrition… Read More

March 26, 2024

Exploring Acupuncture as a Treatment for Eczema

For individuals dealing with eczema, can incorporating acupuncture into a treatment plan help manage and… Read More

March 25, 2024

Recognizing Whiplash Signs and Symptoms: A Complete Overview

Those experiencing neck pain, stiffness, headache, shoulder and back pain may suffer from a whiplash… Read More

March 22, 2024

Discover the Health Benefits of Nopal: A Nutrient-Rich Vegetable

Can incorporating nopal or prickly pear cactus into one's diet help individuals trying to lower… Read More

March 21, 2024

Mastering the Art of Breathing for Improved Exercise Performance

Can improving breathing patterns help further fitness and optimize overall health for individuals who walk… Read More

March 20, 2024