Causes

• Most whiplash injuries are caused by a car accident, often by being struck from behind.
• Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Falls from a horse or a bicycle
• Headbanging
• Trauma from being hit, kicked or shaken
• Accidents, such as from riding a snowboard or a skiing accident
• Injury from riding a roller coaster or an amusement park ride that hyper-extends the neck or causes it to be snapped suddenly
• Extreme, sudden straining to lift or pull a very heavy object

Muscle and Ligament Symptoms

• Tightness or spasms of the muscles of the neck or upper back
• Pain with movement of neck
• Decreased mobility and stiffness
• Burning and tingling in neck and shoulders, upper back
• Pain in shoulder
• Pain in upper back or between shoulder blades
• Pain in one arm
• Low back pain
• Pain in jaw or face
• Pain in the face, the entire head, or behind the eyes
• Difficulty swallowing and chewing plus hoarseness, which can be symptoms of injury to the esophagus or larynx

Neurological Symptoms
These symptoms may be the result of injury to the soft tissue in the neck or a mild brain injury or concussion.

• Vision problems, blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Poor concentration, forgetfulness
• Feeling of disorientation
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Irritability
• Depression
• Sleeplessness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness (vertigo)
• Feeling of pins and needles in arms, possibly legs

Diagnosing A Whiplash Injury

• History and Physical must be done
• X-rays to rule out fracture or dislocation
• CT Scan (Computerized Axial Tomography) shows detailed images of neck
• MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging) produces detailed images

Treatment
Treatment depends upon the severity of symptoms.

• Ice may be applied to neck for 24 hours after injury.NSAID Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) may reduce pain and muscle inflammation.
• Muscle Relaxants may be prescribed.
• Physical therapy may be recommended.
• Mild range of motion exercises may be prescribed with proper posture methods to relieve excessive strain on neck.
• Cold and heat treatments may bring some relief.
• Massage therapy promotes healing and relieves pain.
• Chiropractic therapy may be recommended. Spinal manipulation appears to be the most effective within the first 6 weeks following the injury.
• Soft collars are advised only for the first 2 or 3 days when pain and inflammation re the worst.
• Prolonged use has been shown to delay recovery from whiplash. In some cases, intermittent use is helpful.
• A fracture or dislocation requires the wearing of a collar.

Prognosis

• Mild whip lash injuries may heal within 2 to 3 weeks.
• Moderate injuries require 2 to 3 months.
• Severe whiplash may take months to heal and symptoms, such as headache and neck pain, may linger for 6 months or longer.
• Chronic symptoms may last for years and degenerative changes in the disc and vertebrae may develop.

A whiplash injury truly can become a ‘pain in the neck’ for sufferers of its long term effects.

Experts say if you have a history of heart attack or heart disease - if you smoke – you should hire someone for the job. Plus, if you’ve got high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it’s no good to pick up that shovel! Instead, pick up the phone - call someone to take over the job.

However, if you have to do handle the chore yourself, learn to manage it without ruining your back or having a heart attack. After all, nobody wants to swoon over their snow shovel or pass out in a snow bank.

Get Ready

• Dress in layers so you can remove clothing as your body warms up.
• Wear a hat, gloves, a warm scarf.
• Skid proof boots can help avoid falls.
• Choose gloves or mittens that allow you to get a good grip on the shovel handle and keep your hands warm and dry.

Warm Up

• Walk in place inside, or go up and down stairs to get your muscles moving.
• Stretching exercises helps loosen up arm and back muscles.
• Use Proper Equipment
• A plastic shovel is lighter weight.
• Choose an ergonomically correct shovel; one with a curved handle is easier on your back.
• A shovel made to push snow that is light and fluffy makes the job easier.
• A shovel with a small blade for handling a load of heavy, wet snow is better for your back

Shoveling Technique

• Stand with your feet shoulder width apart to maintain your balance.
• Try to keep the shovel close to your body.
• Push into the snow, using your legs, not your back.
• Bend at the knees - not your waist or back.
• Lift with you legs – not your waist or back.
• Scoop snow onto the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it.
• Try not to hold the shovel far out from your body as this places a strain on your back and arms.
• Dump the snow in front of you.
• Do not twist your body.
• Do not throw snow over your shoulder.
• When snow is deep, take a shovel full off the top, then gradually remove the rest in layers.

Precautions

• If you experience pain of any kind or severe shortness of breath, stop working. Seek help if necessary.
• Don’t eat or smoke right before shoveling as this increases the burden on your heart and blood vessels.
• Pace yourself and take plenty of breaks.
• Drink a lot of water as it’s important to keep hydrated.

Shoveling in very cold weather can make the job more difficult and places a greater strain on your body. Every winter, there are heart attacks and assorted back injuries among people who tackle this job. The task can be completed but use your head and work safely.

The decompression treatment I received at the center has reduced this pain by at least one-half so that I am able to move about more freely. The treatment was painless and felt good as the pressure was taken off my spine. It just seemed logical that taking any pressure off the spine would reduce the pinching of my nerves.
Otis S. Sigler
09/04/2008

Do you have Back Pain? Have you tried everything and was told the only option was Surgery? Watch the video below to find all about a new option, Spinal Decompression.