-This very interesting Sweedish study illustrates that the effects of whiplash can sometimes occur in body areas or systems that seem uncommon to most patients. In my chiropractic clinic in Greenbelt, MD, we focus on the body as a whole, not just the symptoms. As a specialist in whiplash related disorders, I strive to help patients overcome all aspects of this growing epidemic.
-Dr. C

Cardiovascular and muscle activity during chewing in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD).

Kalezic N, Noborisaka Y, Nakata M, Crenshaw AG, Karlsson S, Lyskov E, Eriksson PO.

Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Gavle, Sweden; Sports Medicine Unit, Umea University, Sweden.


OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to elucidate possible physiological mechanisms behind impaired endurance during chewing as previously reported in WAD. We tested the hypothesis of a stronger autonomic reaction in WAD than in healthy subjects in response to dynamic loading of the jaw-neck motor system.

DESIGN: Cardiovascular reactivity, muscle fatigue indicies of EMG, and perceptions of fatigue, exhaustion and pain were assessed during standardised chewing. Twenty-one WAD subjects and a gender/age matched control group participated. Baseline recordings were followed by two sessions of alternating unilateral chewing of a bolus of gum with each session followed by a rest period.

RESULTS: More than half of the WAD subjects terminated the test prematurely due to exhaustion and pain. In line with our hypothesis the chewing evoked an increased autonomic response in WAD exhibited as a higher increase in heart rate as compared to controls. Furthermore, we saw consistently higher values of arterial blood pressure for WAD than for controls across all stages of the experiment. Masseter EMG did not indicate muscle fatigue nor were there group differences in amplitude and mean power frequency. Pain in the WAD group increased during the first session and remained increased, whereas no pain was reported for the controls.

CONCLUSION: More intense response to chewing in WAD might indicate pronounced vulnerability to dynamic loading of the jaw-neck motor system with increased autonomic reactivity to the test. Premature termination and autonomic involvement without EMG signs of muscle fatigue may indicate central mechanisms behind insufficient endurance during chewing.


Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
Chiropractor
Greenbelt, MD

Short-Term Effects of Cervical Kinesio Taping on Pain and Cervical Range of Motion in Patients With Acute Whiplash Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of a Kinesio Taping application to the cervical spine versus placebo tape application on both neck pain and cervical range of motion in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WADs).

Forty-one patients (21 females) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: the experimental group received Kinesio Taping to the cervical spine (applied with tension) and the placebo group received a sham Kinesio Taping application (applied without tension). Both neck pain and cervical range-of-motion data were collected at baseline, immediately after the Kinesio Tape application, and at a 24-hour follow-up by an assessor blinded to the treatment allocation of the patients.

The results indicated that patients receiving Kinesio Taping experienced a greater decrease in pain immediately postapplication and at the 24-hour follow-up. Patients in the experimental group obtained a greater improvement in range of motion than those in the control group.

Original article published in J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2009;39(7):515-521

Dr. David Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD
Laurel Regional Chiropractic
http://www.laurelregionalchiropractic.com/

Car Accidents May Alter Neck Curvature (Lordosis)

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