Dr. Steve Alff’s Blog On Health

Do you ever get the feeling that there’s something you are supposed to do but can’t remember what it is? I think that happens to all of us at one time or another, but did you see the story this fall about the plane that flew past its destination?
I wonder if the two pilots flying Northwest Airlines Flight 188 had a feeling in the back of their minds that said, “Isn’t there something I’m supposed to be doing right now, but I can’t remember what it is?”
After all, their flight was scheduled to land in Minneapolis, but both pilots were so busy on their laptops that they overshot their destination by 150 miles.
How pathetic is that? You would think the pilots would have been paying attention to minor details like:

* The fact that they were flying at 35,000 feet and were responsible for the safety of 144 passengers on board.

* Flight control had been trying to contact the pilots for over an hour

* People were trying to call the pilots on their cell phones

* The pilot’s instrumentation in the cock pit showed that they had veered off course

* The time on their watch would suggest they were late for something they were supposed to do…land the plane in Minneapolis and hour ago.

This was such a debacle that the White House was being briefed and F-16 military fighter jets were ready to take off…because the flight was off course, off schedule, and out of contact.

This is definitely an “Are You Kidding Me” moment. But we’ve all seen this story before by countless individuals. Think about it. How many people do you know who set goals, talk about their dreams, and plan out their objectives for a better life only to become distracted? They’ve veered from their flight plan and find themselves off course and off their schedule.

Does this sound familiar to you? Because all of us have had a time when we find ourselves a long way from the plans we made and the goals we set.

January is coming fast and it is a time when people set “New Year’s Resolutions” and goals focused on improving their lives. Some people want to lose weight and get in shape, others want to do better in their jobs, and others want to improve the relationships in their lives, and so on.

I think it’s a great idea to make a plan at the beginning of the year with the goal of improving your life. But remember, there is a good chance that circumstances will cause you to veer from your plan. And when that happens, don’t stress out about it. Just make the decision to get back on course.

Dr. Steve Alff, Ventura Spinal Care Center

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Since I have a lot of patients with children and grandchildren in my practice, I wanted to share with you some information on Ritalin that I came across. This is important because ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed disorder in children, and Ritalin is the drug of choice for this condition.

A recent study shows that healthy kids who take Ritalin have a 500% greater risk of sudden death.
Yes, you might want to read that again to let it soak in.
Keep in mind that these aren’t kids with pre-existing health or heart conditions. These are “healthy” kids we are talking about here.
This is more proof that what you’ve been told for decades about Ritalin…that it’s safe for kids…is far from the truth.
Here’s some more information you need to know about Ritalin…
Ritalin is a stimulant. It causes the heart to beat faster. And that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Ritalin acts exactly like amphetamines such as crystal meth and cocaine.
In spite of evidence that Ritalin can stunt the growth of children (1), and cause irreversible brain damage (2) and that it is linked to serious cardiovascular events, the FDA remains silent about the dangers of this dangerous drug.
Objections to the FDA’s sluggishness are even starting to appear in conservative medical journals like JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association. In a recent editorial, they criticized the FDA by saying the FDA is “interpreting the results cautiously.”
Plus, JAMA notes that the FDA funded and approved the design of the study. Only when the results came out did they have a problem with the design of the study. I guess the FDA didn’t like the results their own design produced.
This is the big point for all of us: Doctors hand out Ritalin prescriptions every day. And too often you aren’t told of the dangers (which is why I’m telling you about them).
What’s more, studies show that Ritalin doesn’t even work. The same study that found Ritalin stunts kids’ growth also found that it has no beneficial effect on behavior over a three-year period.
So if you have kids or grandkids who have trouble concentrating, focusing, or calming down, here are some easy, safe, and natural ways to bring kids “to attention” without endangering their mental and physical health.
1. Increase the consumption of omega-3 in their diet. Studies show that many children with ADHD don’t get enough omega-3. Try to give the child 1000 mg of omega-3s every day.
2. Pine bark extract. This is another natural supplement that works. A European study using pycnogenol, an organic compound found in the bark of the French maritime pine tree, showed that after only one month, children’s behavior improved significantly on as little as 1 mg per day. (3)
3. Some naturally occurring amino acids can treat ADHD.
One of them is 5-HTP. Try 50 to 100 mg three times per day with meals.
Another is tyrosine. The optimal dose is 5,000 mg per day for children and up to 10,000 mg per day for adults.
4. Chiropractic care. Many people still don’t know that chiropractic care works great with children. With nutritional supplements and chiropractic adjustments, I’ve helped several children who were diagnosed with ADHD improve dramatically.
Email me if you have any questions or comments. If you know of any children who have ADHD, pass this information on to their parents!
Have a great day and I’ll talk to you soon,
Dr. Steve Alff, D.C.

Sources:

Jensen et al, “3-Year Follow-up of the NIMH MTA Study.” Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007. 46(8):989-1002.
Gray et al, “Methylphenidate Administration to Juvenile Rats Alters Brain Areas Involved in Cognition, Motivated Behaviors, Appetite, and Stress,” Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, 27(27):7196-7207.
Trebatická et al, “Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.” European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006. 15(6):329-35.
Dr. Al Sears - alsearsmd.com

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) occurs when a nerve on the palm side of the wrist is pinched. It is named after the area of the wrist from where the symptoms occur. The Carpal Tunnel is basically a horseshoe shape made from 8 small carpal bones and the ends of the horseshoe are connected with a ligament thus completing the “tunnel.”

What are the symptoms? CTS symptoms include pain from swelling of the tendons inside the CT. When the nerve pinch occurs, numbness, tingling, or a half asleep sensation into the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fingers occurs. This is often worse at night due to the wrist being bent when asleep. This often wakes the person and shaking/flicking the hand/fingers is needed to “wake them up.” Grip weakness is also associated with CTS such as difficulty opening jars.

What are the causes? Usually, over use from tasks including repetitive line work (meat/fish/poultry packing, cookie/food packing), typing, sewing, carpentry, waiting tables, and the like. Other “contributors” include hormone related conditions such as hypothyroid, dysmenorrhea, diabetes, and obesity. These fast/repetitive movements cause swelling of the tunnel’s contents (9 tendons and the median nerve) and the nerve is pushed into the ligament connecting the ends of the horseshoe/tunnel.

Who is at risk? Gender is a significant factor as women are 3x more likely to develop CTS than men as the CT may be smaller in woman. The dominant hand is often first affected and more severe. Hormone imbalances as described above also increase risk.

How is it diagnosed? The history of the symptoms as well as physical examination of the hands, arms, shoulders and neck can lead to the proper diagnosis. The exam consists of trying to reproduce the numbness into the fingers by pressing/holding over the CT and other areas where the nerve runs down the arm (including the neck where the nerve originates), tapping over the CT with a reflex hammer, bending and holding the wrists at the extreme endpoints of motion. Also, poking the skin with a sharp object and comparing the 2nd to 4th fingers to other parts of the hand and the opposite side commonly yields differences between the two sides. Questionnaires and hand diagrams completed by the patient are helpful and quantify the degree of severity. Tests used during the course of treatment help track improvements. More sophisticated testing includes an EMG (nerve conduction test) that tests the motor and sensory changes when the nerve is pinched.

How is it treated? Chiropractic approaches include manipulation of the wrist, hand, forearm, shoulder and neck, specifically addressing the areas of greatest restricted motion. Soft tissue therapy includes massage, active release, graston, trigger point, and a host of physical therapy modalities such as light/low level laser, IFC, ultrasound, microcurrent, and low frequency approaches. Exercise training to be repeated multiple times per day is very helpful. Wrist bracing especially at night is also a common treatment approach used by all health care providers. Nutritional counseling and supplementation is also very helpful.

How can it be prevented? Work station assessments, staying in shape (avoid obesity), taking “minibreaks” when doing repetitive work, and proper treatment for conditions like hypothyroid, diabetes, and other disorders associated with CTS.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 805-648-7987.

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Patients often ask me if they really need to take vitamin supplements every day, or if they can skip them if they just eat healthy.

My answer is that scientists have proven taking multivitamins will help you live longer. Their research even shows that you might live 5% longer compared to people who don’t take a daily multivitamin. That may not seem like much, but for the average US life expectancy, it’s 4 more years.

Here’s some recent research done on this topic:

A study led by Dr. Honglei Chen of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences evaluated multivitamin use and nutrient intake in 586 women between the ages of 35 and 74 in what was called the Sister Study. The researchers then studied the length of their DNA telomeres, a marker for aging. They found that the telomeres of daily multivitamin takers were 5.1% longer than non-takers.

The researchers believe that the antioxidants contained in multivitamins are in part responsible for this life extending benefit. Antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and D, benefit telomere length by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation — factors in the onset of most life-threatening diseases.

This research supports another recent study conducted by the National Cancer Institute and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing.2

In this large-scale study known as the General Population Nutrition Intervention Trial, 29,584 residents of Linxian, China were given eight combinations of nine vitamin and mineral combinations from 1985 to 1991. The goal of the study was to evaluate the risk of cancer of the esophagus and upper stomach. Residents of Linxian have some of the highest rates of these types of cancer in the world.

The trial found that “factor D,” a combination of 50 micrograms of selenium, 30 milligrams of vitamin E and 15 milligrams beta-carotene was associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, as well as total cancer and gastric cancer mortality. As in the first study mentioned above, antioxidant vitamins and minerals were the key to reduced risk of chronic disease and early death.

From the beginning of the trial through May, 2001, 9,727 deaths occurred in study participants including 1,515 from esophageal cancer and 1,199 from gastric cancer. Individuals who received factor D however, had a 5% percent lower risk of dying from all causes than those who did not receive this combination. The effect of factor D was most strongly observed in participants younger than 55 years.
This research is also important because it showed reduced risk of cancer for up to 10 years after the end of the trial in individuals who took the vitamin/mineral antioxidant combination.

These two studies provide strong evidence that taking a daily multivitamin can help you live a longer and healthier life. If you are not currently taking a multi, it’s not too late to start. In our office you can pick up a high quality multivitamin. Just don’t buy the cheap stuff. Pay a few more dollars per bottle because the return on your investment is worth it.

Have a great day and I’ll talk to you soon!

Dr. Steven Alff, D.C.

References

http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Publications/Food-Beverage-Nutrition/NutraIngredients.com/Research/
Multivitamins-linked-to-younger-biological-age-Study/?c=%2FESa3FpTFLdwmZYfRLQ2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=
newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily
http://www.lef.org/whatshot/2009_04.htm#protective-effective-nutritional-supplements-evident-decade.

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An article published in the “Dynamic Chiropracitc” newsletter, dated July 29, 2009, with the above title explains the results of a study published in the “American Journal of Psychiatry” which emphasized the potential risks of children aged 7 to 10 dying unexpectedly while under the influence of stimulant drugs like Ritalin and Concerta.
These drugs are used extensively to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disease (ADHD).

The article goes on to highlight another study done by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) that “shows promising results for children under Chiropractic care”. In addition to the above report, the CBS Early Show June 15 “Health Watch” segment also recommended chiropractic care, along with dietary changes, as a potential treatment option for children with ADHD.

It seems that the trust is finally coming out about the dangers of drug treatment, especially for children and the importance of Chiropractic spinal adjustments and proper nutrition to support our health.

To review the entire article, go to www.dynamic chiropractic.com and click on “previous issues”.

Our purpose at the Ventura Spinal Care Center is to give you natural alternatives for back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and other conditions, using chiropractic care and spinal decompression. If you would like a free consultation, please contact us at 805-648-7987

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Recent research done in England studied more than 10,000 government workers and found that those who reported the highest levels of stress at work also had a 68% higher risk for heart problems.
Chronic stress can double the speed at which cancer returns. Studies at the University Of Rochester Medical Center in New York and Stanford University School of Medicine in California looked at 94 women who had successfully treated for advanced breast cancer. After treatment, those who had experienced a lot of stress in the past, such as physical abuse or divorce, remained cancer-free for an average of 31 months. Those who hadn’t experienced that level of stress remained cancer-free for 62 months, on average. This report was published in the September 2007 issue of Journal of Psychosomatic Research.
What about diabetes and chronic stress? Researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland reported that women who had frequent feelings of anger, tension or stress were 20% to 60% more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, which is a pre-diabetic condition that is characterized by increase blood sugar, increased blood pressure, high triglycerides or fat in the blood, low HDL or good cholesterol and overweight.
Many of our older patients in the practice complain in a joking manner that they think they’re getting Alzheimer’s because they can’t seem to remember things anymore. Well it just so happens that stress may have something to do with this aging phenomenon. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, studied 91 healthy people with an average age of 79. The higher their levels of stress, the worse their memories were. Those unfortunate enough to also have a particular gene that has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease had the worst memory of all.
Remember what I said about your immune system earlier. Scientists at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University reviewed decades of research on stress and the immune system. They found that chronic stress decreases the activity of infection-fighting natural killer cells. Chronic stress decreases the
number of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Chronic stress also increases the production of antibodies which increases the risk factors for allergies and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic stress can even reactivate old viral infections, such as shingles which is the chicken pox virus stored in the nerves. When your immune system becomes weakened there are severe consequences for your health. Some of those are: slower healing, lowered resistance to any number of different diseases and the development and progression of cancer.
If all this wasn’t bad enough chronic stress can also shorten your life. The same researchers mentioned directly above also found that chronic stress such as that experienced by spouses and children who care for people with Alzheimer’s disease can shorten the caregivers’ lives by 4 to 8 years, compared to similar non-caregivers. In fact, the researchers found that this type of chronic stress actually shortened and damaged telomeres which are a type of genetic material linked to longevity. Unfortunately, it’s the longer and stronger telomeres that are connected with longevity.

Easing Your Stress
If you can remember the word S.E.L.F., then you can remember how to help ease the onslaught of chronic stress that attacks so many of us.
S. is for Serenity. A simple technique called the “relaxation response” is one of the best ways to achieve a greater degree of stress-reducing serenity. All you have to do is find a quiet, comfortable place to sit. Close your eyes. Choose a calming
word or short phrase such as “letting go” or “all is well.” As you slowly exhale, repeat the word of phrase over and over. With practice, you will be able to settle into a deeper peace with each inhalation. If you have distracting thoughts, imagine that they are clouds blowing by and focus back on the word or phrase. Repeat this process over and over for 5 to 10 minutes at least once a day. Singing, praying, petting your dog or cat or watching something funny on TV can also be helpful.
E. is for exercise. You don’t have to get sweaty for it to be stress-relieving. In fact, any kind of movement like walking your dog, dancing, or doing yoga will qualify as exercise.
L. is for Love. Family and friends will usually take care of the love part of stress reduction. The problem here usually lies in the fact that we don’t spend enough time communicating and being with the ones we love. Date nights for spouses are a great idea. Lunches and movies with friends or even sending an e-mail or letter can do a lot to reduce the negative effects of stress.
F. is for food. Healthy food is a great prescription for fighting off the effects of chronic stress. Good food can help improve your mood, help you sleep better and increase your vitality. Some recommendations that can be made here are: at least once a week, eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring. Omega-3’s have been shown to nourish brain cells and have been shown to ease stress and reduce hostility and depression. Other foods that help to reduce stress are broccoli and blueberries and other fruits and vegetables that are rich in cell-
protecting antioxidants. Chicken and bananas are high in vitamin B-6. B-6 can increase the production of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps relax and heal the body.
Along with the good foods there are of course foods that you should try to avoid because they tend to aggravate stress. These foods include coffee and tea with caffeine, foods high in sugar and of course alcohol, which many people believe helps to relax or de-stress them but when the effects wear off you tend to feel even more anxious.
From my own experience treating a lot of patients that are challenged with stressful lifestyles there seems to be one common denominator. Stressed out people aren’t having anywhere near enough fun in their lives. They’re overworked and they don’t do the things that they enjoy nearly enough. It sounds like a simple formula but it’s hard for people to break a cycle they’ve been ensconced in for what is probably years. If you’re one of the stressed try picking specific times of the day or week to do what you enjoy. You’ll actually get more done while you’re improving your health. A simple formula. For a free consultation in our office, simply call 805-648-7987.

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex condition that includes widespread symptoms of muscle and joint pain, where everything seems to ache and is associated with severe exhaustion and fatigue.  It affects up to 4% of the population (woman > men), with no known cause or known cure.  With these facts, it’s not surprising that many sufferers have turned to diet as a means of trying to improve their quality of life.  Unfortunately, there are many conflicting dietary recommendations for FM, some completely contradicting the other, leaving the patient and doctor confused as to who or what to believe.

            FM can be primary (of unknown cause) or secondary (caused by a different specific condition). Because many conditions can give rise to FM, it’s not surprising that there is no one diet that works universally for all FM patients. However, many FM sufferers respond from eliminating one or more of several types of foods according to experts interviewed by WebMD, and utilizing these recommendations can prove highly effective.  They specifically identified 7 foods to avoid in the management of FM, which include the following:

1. Aspartame (NutraSweet): All of the experts interviewed by WebMD agreed a large majority of FM patients could worsen by eating or drinking foods sweetened by aspartame.

2.  MSG (monosodium glutamine) and nitrates: MSG is a common additive to enhance flavor in many processed and frozen foods as well as in some Asian (eg., Chinese) foods.  Hence, lunchmeats like ham, bologna and bacon should be avoided.

3.  Sugar, fructose, and simple carbohydrates:  Though no study has clearly identified that these foods directly worsen the symptoms in FM patients, eliminating foods like cake, white bread and sugar in general, will decrease the risk of developing secondary conditions such as yeast infections that can give rise to FM.  Eliminating foods with high levels of fructose corn syrup has been reported to help some FM patients.

4.  Caffeine (coffee, tea, colas/soda, & chocolate):  After a brief stimulating effect (energy boost), there is a longer lasting sedative affect, which is amplified in FM patients.  The good news is that most of the caffeine is out of the body within a week of discontinuing use.

5.  Yeast and glutens:  These two are not related but are frequently used together in foods like cake, donuts and bread and both contribute to FM symptoms.  Yeast gives rise to yeast fungus where an overgrowth may cause or exacerbate FM symptoms resulting in joint and muscle pain.  Glutens can cause stomach and other GI problems, which in turn can give rise to fatigue.

6:  Dairy: Regardless if its low or high fat, some reports indicate that dairy products, particularly milk can increase the symptoms of FM and avoiding these can help.

7.  Nightshade plants: Tomatoes, chili and bell peppers, potatoes and eggplant can trigger flare-ups of FM and various forms of arthritis.

            Some GOOD diet approaches include a heart-healthy diet – that is, one that is low in saturated fat and includes lean meats & poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables. This diet improves one’s overall health, thus reducing the risk of secondary FM and allowing the body to better fight off other disease processes.  This diet is also anti-inflammatory, the common link found in many health conditions.  A vegetarian diet comprised of mostly whole foods was also reported as helpful.  High potency vitamin supplement and specifically Omega 3 fatty acids (main ingredients – EPA & DHA) included in fish oil, flax seed, walnuts, some fortified cereals, and eggs also help reduce inflammation. These recommendations are research supported and we can further discuss the nutritional approaches that benefit patients suffering with fibromyalgia. 

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 805-648-7987.

Ventura Spinal Care Center

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There are many different reasons why injuries sustained in car crashes result in chronic or long term pain. First, there are several types of tissues in the neck that can give rise to pain. The most intense pain comes from the tissues with the greatest density of nerve fibers, such as the joint capsules and the ligaments holding the bones of the neck together. There are many ligaments in the neck that are vulnerable to being over-stretched and injured in a motor vehicle collision. The mechanism of a “whiplash” injury in a rear-end collision is unique. Upon impact, the vehicle rapidly accelerates forward while the head momentarily remains in its original position, resulting in an initial straightening of the neck followed by extension. At the extreme end-range of backward extension motion, the ligaments in the front of the neck are over stretched and can tear. Within milliseconds, the head is then propelled forwards into flexion which can then injure the ligaments in the back of the neck placing a significant amount of force on the joint capsules and ligaments holding the bones in close proximity. Another reason the neck is injured is the speed at which the head and neck “whip” in the backwards and forwards directions after the impact. This occurs faster than what we can voluntarily contract our neck muscles to resist–within 600 milliseconds! Therefore, even if we brace ourselves in preparation for an impact, we can’t avoid injury to the ligaments and joint capsules. Damage to the ligaments is difficult to “prove” by conventional x-ray, which is why bending views or, flexion/extension x-ray methods are needed. When there is damage to the ligaments, the vertebra will shift forwards or backwards excessively compared to neighboring vertebra. This can be measured to determine the extent of ligament laxity or damage and can help explain why neck pain can be so intense and/or chronic. Not all car accidents occur from behind. In fact, only about 1/3 occur from this direction. One study investigating which direction created greater degrees of injury reported 57% of chronic pain patient group occurred from rear-end collisions. It also found that woman sustained more ligamentous injury compared to men and that frontal and rear end collisions resulting in significantly higher levels of ligament injury compared to side impacts
Another well published reason why neck pain can “hurt so much” after a car crash is that the sensory input from the injured area to the brain can be so extreme that it leaves an “imprint” in the sensory portion of the nervous system and it becomes hypersensitive or sensitized, resulting in a lower pain threshold or being more sensitive to pain. This is similar to the “phantom limb” phenomenon that often occurs after a leg is amputated where the brain still “feels” leg pain after the limb has been removed. This has also been reported to be a reason for the significant constellation of symptoms often accompanying “whiplash” injuries. A partial list of associated symptoms with whiplash injuries includes neck pain, headache, TMJ / jaw pain, dizziness, coordination loss, memory loss, cognitive difficulty in formulating thought, communicating, losing your place during conversation, and more.
Understanding whiplash and all of its nuances regarding signs and symptoms, x-ray requirements and measurement techniques, and treatment / management strategies are well understood at this office. Chiropractors have a unique advantage over other health care providers as manual therapies, including spinal manipulation, have been shown to yield higher levels of satisfaction and faster recovery rates compared to other forms of health care. We pride ourselves in performing thorough history and physical examinations, offering high quality evidence-based therapeutic approaches and teaching necessary home-based, self-management procedures.
For A Free No-Obligation Consultation
Call 805-648-7987

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Whiplash – Where Is My Neck Pain Coming From?

Last week while driving to work, you’re stopped at a red light and glance in the rearview mirror and notice that a car is approaching from behind way too fast. The next thing you remember is the squeal of the tires and a loud crash with an accompanied sudden jolt as your car is propelled forward by the impact. Your initial reaction is one of shock, wondering is anyone hurt? How bad is my car damaged? Will there be another hit? Should I get out of the car? I’m going to be late for work! Within a few minutes, the police arrive and after about an hour of taking statements from the two drivers and a few witnesses, you decline an ambulance offer to take you to a nearby hospital for an examination as, “…this little stiffness and ache in my neck is no big deal.” Happy you can still drive your car, you arrive at work an hour and a half late. After reviewing the details of the crash with co-workers several times, you begin to notice a headache, your neck stiffening up and movements becoming limited and painful. After another couple of hours and a few Ibuprofen, the pain has increased and you now have a whopping headache. You decide, “I better go see my chiropractor to see if something is wrong.”

After the exam and x-rays, the chiropractor shows you a chart and explains the mechanism of injury that usually occurs in a low speed rear-end collision. A couple of things that were said really hit home in helping you to understand how such a seemingly minor crash can create so much pain. The first is that it is not possible to voluntarily contract a muscle quick enough and “brace” to prevent the acceleration of the head. Upon impact, as the car is propelled forwards, the head initially goes backwards and then when the muscles in front of the neck are stretched to their limits, the head is then “whipped” forwards in a “crack the whip” type of response and all of this takes less than 600-700 milliseconds! Because of the far limits of neck motion being reached during this process, the ligaments that hold the vertebra together are often stretched and/or torn. This can be appreciated on the bending neck x-rays which shows one vertebra sliding forwards on the one below and the angle created being greater when compared to the surrounding vertebra. The second point of discussion that stands out was the fact that your head was rotated at the time of impact from looking in the rearview mirror places the neck at a greater risk of injury because of the twisting motion that occurs during the “crack the whip” process. Another interesting point: because there wasn’t a lot of car damage, the shock and force of the impact was not absorbed by crushing metal and that energy is therefore transferred to the contents in the vehicle, including the occupants. That is why your briefcase ended up on the floor and your glasses flew off during the crash. Another point of discussion was made concerning the difference between genders and the degree of injury, as women are more likely to be injured more severely because of the less muscular and sometimes longer female neck. The degree of injury is also at greater risk when there is osteoarthritis in the neck that pre-exists the crash. An analogy of how a young sapling branch can bend without breaking verses the “old oak branch” which snaps and breaks when its only bent slightly. So, if you are a middle aged, female with a long slender neck with pre-existing arthritis looking in the rearview mirror prior to impact in a rear-end collision, ligament over stretching / tearing is highly probable.

In summary, it is important to obtain prompt evaluation and treatment by your chiropractor as soon as possible as when time passes without treatment, it is more difficult to bring about a reduction of pain and increased motion and, it will generally take longer. Taking medication for pain only postpones the needed process of restoring movement and function of the neck so that should not be the only treatment. In general, a “wait and watch” approach is not wise in these types of injuries. If you or a loved one is suffering with whiplash, sharing this information may be one of most significant acts of kindness that you can give to those that you care about.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE.
FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 805-648-7987

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