Whiplash, car accidents, and neck pain.

When a rear-end car accident occurs, this can result in trauma to the cervical spine, which may result in cervical pain, and other symptoms.

In whiplash, in a rear end collision, the body is forced into the seat and the head and neck extend. This is followed by the head being thrown forward. In a 32/km/hour car accident, forces may reach 12G!

Injuries may occur to structures of the neck, including the joint capsules, spinal processes and end plates (vertebrae/spinal bones), ligaments, and nerves.

25% of peoples may have ongoing issues past one year.

Common symptoms after whiplash include: 

            – neck pain

            – suboccipital pain

            – cervicothoracic pain

             – headaches

            – facial pain

            – thoracic pain

            – upper limb numbness

            – changes in mood, depression, anxiety, irritability, intolerance

Poor prognosis with:

            –  neurological deficits

            – high ratings of pain for headaches and neck pain

            – age

            – more rotation head position at impact

            – multiple symptoms

            – reversal of cervical lordosis.

References: 

Available on request.