Chiropractic and Motor Vehicle Injuries

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Chiropractic and Motor Vehicle Injuries The Natural Alternative! ©C4K 2007

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Today the largest single contributor to chronic neck and back pain is motor vehicle crashes.

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In a series of recent human volunteer crash tests of low speed rear impact collisions, it was reported that the threshold for cervical spine soft tissue injury was only 8 km per hour!

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Did you know… motor vehicle accident soft tissue injuries of the neck are increasing despite a decrease in motor vehicle accident fatalities. Reference: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. A prospective study of acceleration-extension injuries following rear-end motor vehicle crashes. Vol. 81/2. 2000. p.97-113

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These injuries can result in a substantial level of disablement even following a rear-end collision that seemed relatively minor at the time of the crash. Reference: Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain. A prospective study of acceleration-extension injuries following rear-end motor vehicle crashes. Vol. 81/2. 2000. p.97-113

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One of the most frequent injuries from motor vehicle accidents is Whiplash

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Many people associate whiplash injuries solely with car accidents.

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But did you know that playing football or rugby…

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taking a nasty fall…

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or even a violent sneeze…

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…can produce a whiplash-type injury?

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Whiplash is a condition which may affect the joints of the spine (subluxation), the muscles and tendons (strains), or the disc (bulges or tears).

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Some symptoms of whiplash include: Neck stiffness, pain or discomfort Headaches Muscle tightness Difficulty swallowing Soreness at the front of the neck Restriction in neck movement Inability to concentrate or memory loss. Ringing in the ears

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Some symptoms of whiplash include: ‘Pins and Needles’ in the hands or fingers Trouble with balance or equilibrium Numbness in extremities. Difficulty sleeping Nausea .

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Disc injuries include: Tearing Protrusion Bulging Herniation

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When a disc becomes herniated it loses its normal shape. This may create pressure on the spinal nerves.

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Did you know… that more than 50% of whiplash injuries also result in trauma to the lower back?

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Other conditions attributed to whiplash include Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

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Fibromyalgia is the third most common diagnosis made by rheumatologists, and as many as 25% of diagnosed cases are attributed to an earlier traumatic event, of which whiplash ranks number one in frequency.

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It is a sad fact that the whiplash injury is often overlooked by the family practitioner or emergency room doctor. Often their focus will be on the possibility of fractures, dislocations, head trauma or other very serious conditions.

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While these are very important conditions to investigate… no less important is the condition of whiplash.

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Unless neck injury is readily apparent and patients express feelings of pain or discomfort, whiplash is often given low priority in the hospital emergency room.

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A Common Myth… “If I don’t have pain or discomfort right after the accident, I’m O.K.”

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Whiplash injuries in some cases can be so minor that initially you may not even be aware that you are injured. So don’t just close your eyes and hope that you are O.K.!

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If left undiagnosed and untreated whiplash can lead to altered mechanics of the neck and early degeneration/arthritis.

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The Truth… Even if you feel OK after an accident, (with no symptoms), you should still have a thorough examination by a Chiropractor as soon as possible, as symptoms can be delayed for days and in some cases may not surface for many years.

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This delay in symptoms and the long-term consequences make it very important to get a chiropractic examination soon after any accident where there has been trauma to the neck.

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Often symptoms develop immediately following a car accident.

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The neck may become stiff with inflammation and muscle spasm occurring.

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Pain may also involve the shoulders and arms. Fingers also may ‘tingle’ from pressure and the pinching of nerves in the neck.

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Headaches too are frequent symptoms associated with a whiplash injury.

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Did you know… there is an ever increasing volume of research which supports the chiropractic approach in the management of whiplash.

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“We now have a completely new model of whiplash,” says Dr. Arthur Croft, researcher and co-author of the well-respected textbook, ‘Whiplash Injuries: The Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome’.

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“If you are injured, whether the vehicle sustains no damage or is ‘written off’, there is a 1 in 3 chance you will have chronic pain. It doesn't matter how much or how little damage there is to the vehicle.” These findings are published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain with Dr. Croft as co-author. Dr.Croft states…

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Dr Croft continues… “We believe that people who are able to get chiropractic treatment first are less likely to be symptomatic .”

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Do you know someone who has been in a motor vehicle accident?

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Do you know someone who may be suffering with symptoms of whiplash?

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They may be experiencing an increasing soreness or stiffness in the neck...

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Perhaps pain between the shoulders…

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Or maybe difficulty in turning their head from side to side.

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If so it may be that they have experienced a whiplash injury! Whether they have just been in a car accident or are suffering from an old neck injury… Chiropractic can help!

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Why see a Doctor of Chiropractic? If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, you need a Doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body.

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This means that he or she can perform special orthopaedic and neurological tests as well as other functional tests that can assess soft tissue damage, muscle strength, range of motion as well as joint and nerve function.

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The reason individuals choose chiropractic care for the treatment of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents is simple… Research has shown chiropractic care to be superior in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine.

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Since many of the injuries associated with car accidents are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it is only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice.

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Dr. Freeman, a chiropractor and PhD clinical assistant professor of epidemiology at Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine… is currently the only PhD epidemiologist in the United States researching whiplash and the only chiropractic instructor in a medical school teaching about whiplash injuries.

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Dr. Freeman is involved in a number of research projects that is offering new insights into such issues as disc herniation in motor vehicle crashes, variables predicting disc injury, and risk factors for chronicity following whiplash.

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He states… “I'm teaching neurosurgeons, orthopaedists, and medical doctors about whiplash. They are hearing about chiropractic and seeing chiropractic in a very accepted forum of medicine.”

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Management of Whiplash Injuries In the past whiplash injuries were managed by immobilisation and medication followed by conservative care such as heat and physiological therapeutics.

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Management of Whiplash Injuries More recently, research has demonstrated that this is most definitely not the best approach.

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Many people cope with the symptoms of whiplash with medication.

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The research says that taking pain medication alone will not result in optimal healing.

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Research results on Whiplash Management… Controlled experimental and clinical trials have demonstrated that early controlled mobilisation (such as the chiropractic adjustment) is superior to immobilisation for musculoskeletal soft-tissue injuries… Reference: The Physician and Sports Medicine. Immobilization or early mobilization after an acute soft tissue injury? Vol. 26, No.3 ;March, 2000. p.55-63

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Research results on Whiplash Management… …producing quicker recovery and return to full activity, without placing at risk the long term rehabilitative outcome. Reference: The Physician and Sports Medicine. Immobilization or early mobilization after an acute soft tissue injury? Vol. 26, No.3 ;March, 2000. p.55-63

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The Chiropractic Adjustment… Allows injured tissues to heal more quickly. By improving the fluid exchanges of the disc and the synovial fluid, the adjustment reduces pain and slows or stops the rate of joint degeneration. Reference: Murphy, Whiplash Overview 2001

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A leading researcher into the condition of Whiplash Dr. Dan Murphy reported on two studies that specifically looked at people who failed under medical management and were referred to chiropractors for the treatment of chronic whiplash pain.

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“In both studies the results were phenomenal, and one of the conclusions is that chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment for chronic whiplash.” References Woodward, MV, Cook JCH, Gargan MF, Bannister G Treatment of Chronic Whiplash Injury. 1996;27.643-645. 2. Kahn S, Cook J, Gargan M, Bannister G. A symptomatic classification of whiplash injury and the implications for treatment Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine 21(1) 1999,22-25.

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He continues… “What makes both of these studies even more credible is that the two co-authors, English medical physicians Drs. Gargan and Bannister, have been the two most published people on chronic pain from whiplash injuries.” References Woodward, MV, Cook JCH, Gargan MF, Bannister G Treatment of Chronic Whiplash Injury. 1996;27.643-645. 2. Kahn S, Cook J, Gargan M, Bannister G. A symptomatic classification of whiplash injury and the implications for treatment Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine 21(1) 1999,22-25.

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A Common Myth… Whiplash is an ‘adult’ injury…? Children involved in motor vehicle accidents are often neglected in these types of injuries…

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A Common Myth… Whiplash is an ‘adult’ injury…? …yet they are actually at greater risk of whiplash injury than adults!

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Hawes MC, Obrien JP, The transformation of spinal curvature into spinal deformity: pathological processes and implications for treatment. Scoliosis 2006;1:3. The authors of this 2006 study into spinal deformity in children concluded… “Structural damage to bone and disc can occur very early in the development of even minor curves…”

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Hawes MC, Obrien JP, The transformation of spinal curvature into spinal deformity: pathological processes and implications for treatment. Scoliosis 2006;1:3. The authors of this 2006 study into spinal deformity in children concluded… “Yet the damage can be reversed entirely if steps are taken to reverse the loading imbalance while significant growth potential remains.”

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Hawes MC, Obrien JP, The transformation of spinal curvature into spinal deformity: pathological processes and implications for treatment. Scoliosis 2006;1:3. In other words any postural asymmetries in a child, including even minor spinal changes which may result from a whiplash-type injury MUST be addressed early to prevent irreversible spinal damage. The earlier the intervention the better the result!

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Do you know a child who may benefit from a chiropractic check up?

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Our clinic provides gentle and safe care for the whole family for injuries resulting from car accidents.

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Did you know… In a whiplash injury the severity of the injury is magnified if the head is turned at the moment of impact. Reference: Webb, Whiplash: Mechanisms and Patterns of Tissue Injury. Journal of the Australian Chiropractors Association. June.1985. McCain, Clinical Spectrum and Management of Whiplash Injuries, p.316.

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Seatbelts are very important as there is no doubt that they do save countless lives every year.

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However they can also lead to neck injury because of the sudden forward motion of the upper body, neck and head in a sudden deceleration-type accident.

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Some car accident injuries remain hidden and may not be detected for months or even years after the accident.

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Prompt care following an accident helps speed the healing process. Without proper care, injuries can heal with ‘non-elastic’ tissue known as scar tissue .

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Although estimates vary… about 10% of all whiplash victims become disabled.

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If anyone in your family has had a car accident (no matter how minor) it is very important for them to have their spine checked by a chiropractor immediately to prevent future potential problems.

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Many studies have found individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries.

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One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%. (Balla JI, Iansek R. Headaches arising from disorders of the cervical spine. In: Hopkins A, ed. Headache: Problems in Diagnosis and Management. London: WB Saunders; 1988.)

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Did you know that the cost of your chiropractic care may be covered by insurance following an injury resulting from a car accident?

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Please talk to your chiropractor about whether you may be covered.

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Our friendly and highly trained staff will help you to fill out any paperwork and/or documentation required.

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We can also liaise with the insurance company as well as provide expert medico-legal documentation if necessary.

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So what is Chiropractic? Chiropractic is the Health Science that utilises your own innate healing power to help you return to optimal health.

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Chiropractic is a natural method of healing. It is a non-surgical, non-invasive and drugless approach to healthcare. X

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Chiropractic is the third largest health care profession in Australia behind Medicine and Dentistry. All Chiropractors have completed a minimum 5 years of University study before being registered as Doctors of Chiropractic.

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So how does chiropractic work? In order to understand how chiropractic works it is firstly important to have an understanding of how your body works…

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Your nervous system is the communication system between your brain and your body's muscles, organs, tissues and glands. For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well, it must be... … free of interference .

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It is a known fact that every organ, every muscle and every cell in the body is controlled via a signal directly from the brain which travels over this nervous system .

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This signal tells your heart how slow to beat when you are at rest...

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or how fast to pump when you are exercising.

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This signal tells your stomach when to begin digestion and your liver what enzymes to produce and in what quantity.

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These signals from the brain also regulate your body temperature on very hot (and very cold) days.

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How does your body know when your pancreas needs to produce more insulin, or when your adrenal gland should produce adrenalin? The answer is via the signals or messages traveling from the brain over the nervous system.

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The truly amazing part of this whole process is that this is going on each and every second of every day without you consciously being aware of it.

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Now, what happens if this signal from the brain, this vital brain energy becomes confused? What if the pathway between the brain and the organ it supplies is interrupted? Any decrease in nerve flow to the body must affect the ability of the body to function at its best.

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Think of your brain as the central telephone exchange sending and receiving information through telephone wires (your nerves) which branch out to connect to all areas of a city (your body).

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A short circuit or break in a wire cuts off communication to parts of the city … just like misalignments in your spine can put pressure on the nerves which can in turn affect communication to your body. This pressure interferes with your nervous system, affects your ability to self-heal and may prolong injury or illness.

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A short circuit or break in a wire cuts off communication to parts of the city … just like misalignments in your spine can put pressure on the nerves which can in turn affect communication to your body. This pressure interferes with your nervous system, affects your ability to self-heal and may prolong injury or illness.

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Dr. Seth Sharpless at the University of Colorado demonstrated that as little as the weight of a 5 cent piece on a nerve has the potential to decrease that nerve impulse by as much as 60%. Try to imagine how your body would be with various organs, tissues or glands functioning at only 40%! Reference: Sharpless SK: “Susceptibility of spinal roots to compression block.” The Research Status of Spinal Manipulative Therapy. NINCDS monograph 15, DHEW publication (NIH) 76-998:155,1975 Research

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This is where your Doctor of Chiropractic can help. He or she is trained to find the spinal segment or vertebra, which is blocking the signal from the brain.

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Then with a gentle and safe chiropractic adjustment he will eliminate the nerve pressure, restore the nerve flow through the nerve and therefore enable the organ to return to optimal function.

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Is Chiropractic safe? Does Chiropractic work?

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Chiropractic care is extremely safe and very effective. In fact there is a huge volume of scientific evidence which proves beyond doubt the safety and effectiveness of Chiropractic. Absolutely!

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While many people see a Doctor of Chiropractic for back, neck or joint problems, others may seek relief from the discomfort caused by headaches, high blood pressure, asthma, colic or other conditions. An increasing number of families see their chiropractor for Wellness care as they know this keeps them in peak condition. ©C4K 2007