Whipping Whiplash with Chiropractic Care

Multiple Studies Confirm Positive Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Whiplash Injuries

CARMICHAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (http://www.f4cp.org/), a not-for-profit organization, points to four published research studies which validate that chiropractic care provides significant, ongoing relief for whiplash. Whiplash is defined as an injury to the cervical spine caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, backward or forward, often occurring from rear on-set automobile accidents and amusement rides or the result of falls, accidents and sporting activities.
“Nearly one out of 15 adult Americans suffers from the annoying and sometimes debilitating long-term effects of whiplash injury, usually in the form of neck stiffness and pain,” states Arthur C. Croft, D.C., M.Sc., M.P.H., F.A.C.O. director of the Spine Research Institute, San Diego, CA and a member of the Foundation. “While chiropractic care in the acute stage can often stave off this unpleasant outcome, two of the studies have shown that even in the chronic stage, chiropractic intervention can provide up to 90 percent relief for these sufferers.”
Dr. Croft cites research reported in Injury (27(9), 643-645) where authors Gargan and Bannister state, “93 percent of the 28 patients studied retrospectively were found to have a statistically significant improvement following chiropractic care. In a follow-up study published in Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine, 21(1), authors Khan, Cook, Gargan, & Bannister conclude, “Whiplash injuries are common. Chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment in chronic cases. Our study enables patients to be classified at initial assessment in order to target those patients who will benefit from such treatment.”
Additionally, Croft points to two studies reported in the Journal of Manipulative Physiology and Therapy, 28(1), 3-11 in which authors Giles and Muller state, “For chronic spinal pain in general, when compared to acupuncture and traditional medical approaches, chiropractic has generally be shown to be more effective.”

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• A couple of point to "drive" home: 1) Notice that the studies discussed here reveal that, if taken care of immediately (in the acute stage), chronic pain can often be avoided. However, if it is not taken care of immediately, chiropractic care is still extremely effective, but some residuals of the accident do remain. Also note that according to this article, chiropractic care is the only proven effective treatment in CHRONIC cases.


• So, if you have been in an automobile accident or are in one in the future, see a chiropractor as soon as possible. Regardless of how you feel or felt right after the accident, chiropractic care has been shown to greatly reduce chronic nagging problems that show up years after the accident.


• If your children were in an auto accident (large or small) get them in immediately. Children are very resilient and their bodies are able to adapt to spinal injury quickly. The problem however lies in that adaptability. Injuries can heal in the wrong position and not show up as pain until years or even decades later. Having your child's spine examined for subluxations now can prevent significant problems in the future.


• Why do all these problems arise in the first place? Spinal trauma (such as from an auto accident) can cause soft tissue injury and bone/joint misalignment which in turn causes a cascade of other negative events including scar tissue development, muscle shortening, nerve damage, and chronic inflammation. All of these events cause dysfunction and eventual degeneration of the spine and surrounding tissues. The only way to prevent this is to properly rehabilitate the area of injury, and chiropractic is the only treatment that addresses all these components at once.