Read These Whiplash and Auto Injury

Frequently Asked Questions and Find Out!

• What is whiplash?
• What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury?
• How does whiplash occur during an auto accident?
• What factors increase risk of whiplash injury during an auto accident?
• What health issues will complicate the healing of a whiplash injury?
• What effective treatments are available for whiplash?
• What important steps should I follow if I have been in an auto accident?
• Why choose PSS Injury Center to care for your whiplash or auto-injury?

What is whiplash?

A Whiplash is an injury to the neck caused by a rapid movement of the head backward, forward, or side-to-side..  Whether a result of a auto wreck, sport or your job, neck injuries warrant a thorough physician check-up. The hidden danger with neck injuries is that underlying problems may take years to develop. Too often people don't seek treatment until more serious issues develop, like degenerative arthritis in the injured area, to herniated disks. Even after whiplash victims settle their insurance claims, roughly 40% - 55% of previous neck injury sufferers report that they still suffer with symptoms two years later.

In the past, a typical whiplash injury where no bones were broken, were hard to prove from  legal standpoint. Soft tissue injuries (injuries to the muscles, ligaments and tendons) do not show up on x-rays, and insurance companies would deny coverage to the injured party.  Modern, sophisticated imaging devices (CAT Scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Ultra-Sound) may now show these soft tissue injuries, and therefore insurance companies cover most whiplash injury claims. 

When no bones were broken and the head did not impact the windshield, typical symptoms will follow.  92% complain of neck pain, which usually starts within two hours, or up to two days after the accident. This is often the result of neck muscle spasms that react to either muscle tears or excessive movement of joints from the damage done to the ligaments. The muscles typically tighten in an effort to support the weight of the head.

Almost 60% of those suffering from whiplash complain of headaches. The pain may be on one side or both.  These headaches are often the result of tightened, tensed neck muscles working to keep the head stable.  They are similar to everyday "tension headaches" as they are often felt behind the eyes.

Radicular pain is often described as pain radiating down the back of the neck into the shoulder blade or arm area.  This may also be the result of tensed muscles, or even worse, a disk or nerve injury.  Muscle tears are often described as burning pain, prickling or tingling. More severe disk or nerve injury may cause sharp, shooting pain with certain movements, that may travel into the arms, hand and fingers.  Disc and nerve injury symptoms are normally relieved by holding your hand over your head.

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What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury?

Auto accidents can result in a number of complex injuries and symptoms. This is due to a variety of factors involved.  When evaluating an injured neck, physicians should take into account the beginning & end position of the victim in the car (before & after the collision), the speed of the vehicles before the accident, size of the vehicles involved, the restraints used (air bag, seat belt), preexisting health conditions of victims, age and gender of the victims.. The following list is of the most common whiplash symptoms, as well as their rate of frequency.

If you experience any of these whiplash injury symptoms, play it safe and get a auto injury check- up at our office.

Neck pain and/or stiffness 92% Headache 57% Fatigue 56% Shoulder pain 49% Anxiety 44% Pain between the shoulder blades 42% Low back pain 39% Sleep disturbance 39% Upper limb paresthesia 30% Sensitivity to noise 29% Difficulty concentrating 26% Blurred vision 21% Irritability 21% Difficulty swallowing 16% Dizziness 15% Forgetfullness 15% Upper limb pain 12% Upper limb weakness 6% Ringing in the ears 4% Pain in the jaw or face 4%+

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How does whiplash occur during an auto accident?

Whiplash occurs commonly when from being struck from behind, at any speed.  When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal joint range of motion, the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can be "strained" (torn muscles) or "sprained" (torn ligaments).

A typical rear-ended auto collision can result in whiplash as follows:

Phase 1

Studies show that the car is first pushed or accelerated forward, and is essentially pushed out from under you as your back forces into the seat.  Excessive "shearing forces" develop within the neck and your normal spinal curves then straighten and become compressed. High pressure develops within the brain and skull, and the brain stem is subjected to shearing forces.

Phase 2

An upward rise of your neck then occurs, as your head snaps back over the headrest (and possibly collapses it). Head rest acts as a fulcrum and jaw injury is possible with the high compression within the joint.  Here is where some of the muscles and ligaments are stretched or torn in the neck.

Phase 3

The head now suddenly begins a forward or "flexion" motion as the torso sinks into the seat. Then the seat recoils, and you are forced forward, increasing your velocity 30-70% greater than that of your car speed!  Any slack in the seatbelt over-the-shoulder harness begins to tighten and restrict motion.  Your neck muscles, in a reflex action, contract to bring the the head forward, in an attempt to prevent excessive injury.  Unfortunately, ecause the head is already traveling in a forward direction at such a high velocity, as the car decelerates, there is an "overcompensation".

Phase 4

Overcompensation now violently throws the head forward, stretching more muscles and ligaments in the back of the neck. Full deceleration of the head, neck and torso is now restricted by the shoulder harness. High pressure and sheaing- forces in the spine can cause the soft vertebral discs to bulge, tear, or rupture.  Vertebrae can be jostled out of their normal position, resulting in a "vetebral subluxation".  The brain stem, spinal cord and nerve get stretched and irritated. A neck with vetebral subluxations may quickly show arthritic joint degeneration if not properly treated within a short time after the accident. 

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What factors increase risk of whiplash injury during an auto accident?

 

Vehicle mass. When both vichles are equal in size, an 8 mph impact produces 2 times the force of gravity (2-G's) acceleration of the car, and a 5-G acceleration of the head.
Headrest/head restraint position. This can make an injury much worse if too low, and even at the right height, it must be close enough to catch the head in time (about 2 inches). A seat that is reclined too far will increase this distance, as will poor posture and driving habits if leaning forward. Some older vehicles (trucks, vans) do not have head restraints, adding insult to injury.
Forward position of the head at impact. If turned to the side it can only move about half as far as a straightforward position, but leads to other types of neck injuries. Therefore, if your head was turned during the impact, all of the G forces are localized to one side of the spine, substantially increasing the severity of injury
The use of the seatbelt and shoulder harness.  Yes, the chance of whiplash is higher, but it's much better than the other option. . . death.
A rigid, non-collapsing seatback.
Ligamentous instability (joint loosening) after the accident.
A rear-direction impact (being struck from behind)
Non-awareness of the impact.
Limited range of motion and neurological symptoms after the crash.
Women and children seem to get injured more seriously than men in collisions. Possibly due to a smaller neck.  They may also sit too close to the steering wheel & airbag, or have an improperly fitting shoulder harnesses.  Children's spinal injury problems may go undetected, so it is VERY important to have them checked, even if they claim to feel okay.
Headaches or neck injury or pain prior to the crash.   Pre-existing health problems such as arthritis and degenerative disk disease add to the severity of the injuries.
Age.   As the body becomes older, muscles may become weaker and less flexible, ligaments less pliable, and the joints may have a decrese in range of motion.

Advanced age	Prior cervical spinal surgery
Ankylosing spondylitis or other	Prior thoracic spinal surgery
Congenital anomalies of the spine	Prior lumbar spinal surgery
Degenerative disc disease	Prior spinal injury
Developmental anomalies of the spine	Prior vertebral fracture
Disc protrusion (HNP)	Rheumatoid arthritis or other arthritides affecting the spine
Metabolic disorders	Scoliosis
Osteoporosis	Spinal stenosis or foraminal stenosis
Paget's disease or other disease of bone	Spondylarthropathy
Paraplegia or quadriplegia	Spondylosis Facet arthrosis

• A orthopedic/neurological examination by one of our orthopedists.  Our orthopedists specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
• A chiropractic evaluation to check alignment and occurence of subluxations

• Medical prescription services, if warranted.  Medical pain management via injection therapy if necessary.
• Physiotherapy:  heat/ice therapy, TENS, neurostimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, mechanical traction, Kinesio® Taping
• Chiropractic adjustments of misaligned vetebrae that probably occured in the crash.
• Cervical curvature restoration:  gentle treatment designed to restore proper natural curvature of the spine after being traumatized in the injury.
• Rehabilitation:  therapeutic exercise, kinetic activities and neuromuscular education designed to speed healing and to strengthen the muscles.
• Cusom at-home exercise program prescriptions
  

You can print this page for future reference, to be placed in your glove box in case of an emergency. Or you can download the entire form to be printed and placed inside all of your vehicles. In an emergency - don't panic. Just simply follow the instructions.

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Why choose PSS Injury Center to care for your whiplash or auto-injury?

 

PSS Injury Center is an Orthopedic Group that Offers:

	We specialize in auto-injury and whiplash injury management.  We understand the future health problems that can happen if whiplash injuries are not treated correctly.
	Multiple health care specialities under in one office!   Orthopedic Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Chiropractic Care, Physiotherapy, Certified Athletic Training available to treat your injuries.
	We can work with your auto insurance or health insurance carrier to get you the health care that you need.
	We can work with your attorney to properly document your care, and to get you the care that you need for your injuries (in most cases, at no cost to you).  If requested, we can also assist you in finding a reputable attorney to represent you in your case.
	Same day appointments available.
	Friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff.
	Free Parking.

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Locations in Sandy Springs, Georgia & East Atlanta, Georgia

5825 Glenridge Drive, #2-102, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Office:  404-591-6111     Fax:  404-591-6890

749 Moreland Ave SE, #C-106, Atlanta, GA 30316

Office:  404-627-8998     Fax:  404-627-8970

http://www.pssinjurycenter.com