by 
By Dr. John Huntington
Whiplash, now called Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD), refers to the group of symptoms resulting from the rapid snapping of the head and neck, typically caused by a rear-end car crash. Muscles and ligaments tear, nerves are stretched or compressed and joints bruised or even fractured. Symptoms include the usual suspects of neck pain and headache, as well as dizziness, ringing in the ears, and difficulty swallowing.
The validity of whiplash has been debated for years, with some saying psychological problems or the hope of money or sympathy can account for the continued pain. These ideas are countered by studies that show patients stated the cause of their chronic neck pain to be an earlier car crash 45 percent of the time and that “late-whiplash” pain is found in similar measures in countries where there is no compensation for these injuries. Clearly there are many factors that determine the likelihood and severity of injury, including gender, age, conditioning, and awareness of the coming crash, among others.
A primary cause of injury is improper seat and headrest position. Adjust the headrest so it is level with the top of your head. Sit upright and insure that the headrest is within two to three inches to the back of your head. Keeping your seat back inclined no more than 20 degrees will help maintain this distance as well as prevent “ramping”, which is a rapid traction and extension of the neck.
If you see or hear a crash coming, the best action to take is to look straight ahead, press yourself back into the seat and headrest, apply the brakes hard, and brace your hands on the steering wheel. The less your body moves, the less injury you will have.
The use of cell phones, texting, and drunk driving are all well-known risk behaviors for auto accidents. Driving under the influence of prescribed drugs is a lesser known but growing problem, with impairment worsening with the use of more than one drug. The CDC reports that between 1993 and 2010, the number of drivers involved in fatal car crashes found to have three or more medications in their system nearly doubled, increasing from 11.5 to 21.5 percent (this three times the rates found for marijuana).
The British Medical Journal in 2012 stated that car crash victims were more likely to have taken psychotropic drugs (sleeping pills, antidepressants) for days, weeks or even months prior to the crash.
Don’t get behind the wheel if you are using either prescribed or illicit drugs of this sort and keep in mind many drugs have hang-over effects, disturbing your function the next day.
Also, remember there are simple nutritional and physical changes you can make which will lessen pain and lead to a healthier, happier life, with a reduced need for medication.
Dr. Huntington practices Chiropractic, Biomedical Acupuncture and Physiotherapy in Oracle, Az. 520-896-9844 huntingtonchiro@hotmail.com.
John Huntington is a local business owner in Oracle. He is a chiropractor with many years in the community. He writes a health related article in Pinal Nugget.
by by