Each year, 2 million Americans suffer from whiplash associated disorders (WAD) secondary to motor vehicle accidents.
Studies using high-speed cameras and sophisticated crash dummies have determined that rear impact car accidents cause the lower cervical vertebrae (lower bones in the neck) to be forced into a position of hyperextension (movement of the vertebrae backward) while the upper cervical vertebrae (upper bones in the neck) move rapidly into hyperflexion (movement of the vertebrae forward). This leads to an abnormal S-shape curved movement of the cervical spine.
It is thought that this abnormal motion causes damage to the soft tissues that hold the cervical vertebrae together (ligaments, facet capsules, muscles). This insult to the spine, in turn, causes swelling and pain.
The most common symptoms related to whiplash include:
Neck pain and stiffness
Headaches
Shoulder pain
Dizziness/visual changes
Fatigue
Jaw pain
Arm pain/weakness
Back pain
Numbness and tingling
Recent evidence has shown that physical therapy may be the best choice to decrease pain, improve motion, and decrease cost secondary to whiplash associated disorders.
Recently, in the Journal of Rheumatology, a large scale meta-analysis was performed of the existing literature on mechanical neck pain secondary to motor vehicle accidents. There was strong evidence supporting stretching/strengthening exercises combined with mobilization/manipulation.
Standard medical care (pain medication, surgery, and injections) had limited evidence or no long-term benefit. Furthermore, the treatments with physical therapy were less expensive and demonstrated less long-term disability versus standard medical care.
An article in the Emergency Medical Journal (2006) compared two groups. The first group received mobilization (hands-on muscle and joint work) and exercise therapy. The second group received medication and a cervical collar. The mobilization and exercise group had significantly less neck/shoulder pain, improved headaches, and lower prevalence of all other symptoms when compared to the group receiving medication and a cervical collar.
Another research article in the journal Spine, demonstrated that there was decreased medical cost and less days lost at work in patients who received physical therapy versus standard medical treatments (advanced tests, drugs, collar, injection and surgery).
It appears that using physical therapy in combination with standard medical care would be the best choice to decrease pain, improve function and prevent chronicity in individuals who have injuries associated with auto accidents.
