Whiplash - A Few Words

Whiplash neck injuries are among the fastest growing health problems today. The ever increasing number of automobiles rolling onto our congested streets and highways, the high speed of our freeway system, power brake, and powerful engines all contribute to the growing frequency of the type of accident that can result in a whiplash neck injury.

The research crash council of the USAF has demonstrated that the normal neck can withstand a forward snapping of 50 times the force of gravity before producing major injury, whereas a backward snapping acceleration of only 5 times the force of gravity can be tolerated. And since an auto traveling only 25 miles an hour creates a force exceeding 3,400 pounds, the impact of a crash at this speed will exert several tons of force on the victim's neck.

A whiplash neck injury occurs as the result of a sudden backward and forward whipping movement of the neck. This sudden, forceful movement often stretches or sprains the ligaments and muscles which hold the spinal segments within a critical range of movement or position. Failure of the holding ligaments to support the spine allows the spinal segments to become displaced, thus altering the normal mechanical balance of the spine. The increased stress results in eventual degenerative disease of the disc with spur formation and the spurs will occlude the spinal nerve opening.

It is important to note that virtually every person involved in a moving vehicle accident suffers a whiplash injury to some degree. Its symptoms are not always readily clear.....some individuals experience no pain or discomfort for weeks following an accident....and it is advisable to seek competent whiplash injury diagnosis following any auto accident. Left untreated, a whiplash injury can eventually open a veritable Pandora's Box of painful chronic health problems that can eventually lead to a lifetime of misery.

Petterson Chiropractic Clinic - 825 Bahls Drive, Hastings MN 55033 (651) 480-1128