It is well known that car accidents often cause whiplash injuries to the neck and
upper back. Whiplash, in fact, is only a description of how the neck moves
after one car is impacted by another. The actual effect in the neck and
upper back can include pain, damage to the muscles, ligaments, discs, and
vertebrae, as well as inflammation and a reduction of the normal neck curve,
otherwise known as cervical lordosis.
When one vehicle is impacted from the back by another vehicle, the first
vehicle is pushed forward, causing the head of the vehicle’s occupant to extend back, often to a much greater degree than normal. This can injure the soft tissues in the
front of the neck. As the injured area responds by tightening up, the neck
curve is reduced.* This type of injury can occur even in low impact car
collisions at 5 mph, which is often referred to as a “fender-bender.”
If left untreated, symptoms related to soft tissue injuries may often
decrease or go away completely. However, if the neck curve remains reduced,
the patient will often have recurrence of symptoms months or even years later. Scar tissue will form instead of the normal muscle tissue. Even worse, degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis can develop in the injured area. **
Some forms of chiropractic care have been shown to restore the neck curve to a more normal alignment. Evaluation by a chiropractor who has experience with treatment of car accident injuries is an important first step to restoring health following an accident, even if it is a small one.
* Coleman RR, Hagen JO, Troyanovich SJ, Plaugher G. Lateral cervical curve changes in patients receiving chiropractic care after a motor vehicle collision: a retrosective case series. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2003;26(6):352-355.
** Evans RW. Some observations on whiplash injuries. The Neurology of Trauma 1992;10;4;975-997.
Dr. Brian Lancaster
Valley Chiropractic Frederick, MD
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