The Statistics Seem Pretty Incredible but there is help with the right kind of treatment.
Statistics show that over 80% of people suffer from head and neck pain at some point in their life.
Whiplash is a large cause of this pain and whiplash doesn't have to be from a car accident.
Whiplash-Associated
Disorder (WAD)
The term “whiplash-associated
disorder” is used to describe the clinical manifestations
of a whiplash injury – which occurs when an “acceleration-deceleration”
force is applied on the neck. The neck is injured by a sudden
jerking or "whipping" of the head – straining
the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal
range of motion. While many associate the occurrence of WAD
with car accidents, it can occur in any mishap when an acceleration-deceleration
force is applied on the neck – for example, in a diving
accident, on roller coasters, sports injuries, or being punched
or shaken.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the neck, head, shoulder, and arms
- Pain and stiffness in the neck – muscles may feel
knotted and stiff
- Pain when moving head from side-to-side, front-to-back,
and rotation
- Tenderness
- Headaches
Our necks are exposed to a lot of stress. Often, people experience
pain in this region caused by a number of different factors.
The pain may begin in any of the structures in the neck (muscles,
nerves, vertebrae and the disks between them, etc.) and can
radiate down to the back and arms. Pain can also be radiated
from other areas like the shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.
A common cause of neck pain is muscle strain or tension –
and everyday activities are the culprit. Being bent over a
desk all day, poor posture while reading or watching TV, or
sleeping in an awkward position can all be causes. It can
also be caused by more serious incidents, like falls or accidents.
Other causes may include a cervical herniated disk, arthritis,
and meningitis.
Symptoms:
- Stiffness and soreness of the neck
- Headaches
- Difficulty moving head
- Pain that spreads to shoulders, arms, or back
- If neck pain involves nerves, you may feel numbness, tingling,
or weakness in your arm, hand, or elsewhere
