Whiplash

Whiplash is a rapid, sudden movement during a traffic accident or a fall. The movement can cause injury to vertebrae and soft tissues (muscles, nerves) in the neck, resulting in a whiplash trauma: pain, stiffness and other complaints that sometimes only appear months after the accident. Dr. Jahani uses neurological chiropractic methods to resolve or relieve whiplash complaints.

Symptoms

The most common whiplash complaint is a painful, often stiff neck. Many whiplash patients also suffer from headaches, low back pain and radiating pain to the arms and face. There are many more complaints that can be part of whiplash trauma, including loss of strength in the arms, dizziness, balance disorders, nausea, tinnitus, blurred vision or spots before the eyes, and sleep and concentration problems. Not only the nature but also the severity of symptoms varies greatly. Half of patients recover within a month, but sometimes the consequences are so serious that they lead to disability.

Causes

Whiplash is a well-known term most often associated with car accidents. In the past, even train accidents with minor impacts could produce a similar pattern of complaints, which was called "railway spine". For a long time this was not recognised and victims received no compensation after the accident.

Whiplash literally means "whip crack" and refers to the rapid, forced head movement that can lead to the above-mentioned complaints. Whiplash is therefore not limited to traffic accidents; it can also result from a fall down the stairs or a skiing accident.

During a rear-end collision, various parts of the body accelerate at different rates. The torso and lower body with the shoulders move forward first, and milliseconds later the head accelerates. This powerful movement can stretch joint capsules, muscles, tendons and nerves, resulting in pain and other complaints.

Treatment

The chiropractor will first ask you about your complaints to get a picture of your health. It will also need to be established to what extent the accident has caused a whiplash reaction. A thorough physical examination follows, focusing particularly on the mobility of the joints. If whiplash is suspected, the chiropractor will determine the grade of whiplash, which indicates the severity of your complaints.

If an X-ray, CT or MRI scan is available or can be requested, this can be useful for the chiropractor to determine the prognosis and tailor treatment accordingly. The chiropractor may also advise you to undergo diagnostic investigation in consultation with your GP or medical specialist.

Depending on how acute and severe the complaint is, the chiropractor can begin treatment. By gently mobilising the vertebrae using pressure techniques, muscles and nerves can start functioning normally again. The pressure techniques improve mobility, relax the muscles and allow surrounding nerves to resume their functions. As a result, pain and other complaints can decrease or disappear. The outcome of treatment depends on the severity of the complaints.

In addition to treatment, the chiropractor can advise you on posture, ergonomics, exercise and nutrition. Movement is beneficial both for prevention and recovery. Incorrect movement can worsen complaints, so it is important to seek guidance. Developing strong neck muscles is crucial — it spares your spine and reduces the chance of recurrence.