How Do You Treat Whiplash Injury?
What is a whiplash injury?
Whiplash injury, medically known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome, is a neck injury caused by sudden bending or rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. This sudden motion affects the cervical spine (neck) and surrounding structures such as nerves, discs, tendons, and muscles.
When the head is jerked backwards (hyperextension) and then forward (hyperflexion) in a split second, it can stretch and tear the muscles and ligaments in the neck. As a result, the neck’s natural curve is lost quickly, called lordosis, which causes pain. Whiplash injury usually occurs in three stages:
Stage 1: At first, the spine’s upper and lower parts bend forward (flexion).
Stage 2: In this stage, the spine takes on an S-shape. The lower part of the spine bends backwards (hyperextends) while the upper spine flexes beyond its normal range. This causes a lot of stress on the neck.
Stage 3: At this stage, the spine straightens out completely. This full extension puts intense force on the joints in the neck known as facet joint capsules. Ultimately, this causes pain and damage to the muscles and tissues around the neck.
Whiplash injury is often called a neck sprain or strain.
How common is whiplash injury?
While people can experience whiplash injury, it is more common in women and older adults. Most serious injuries occur in people of age 65 or older. In the United States, about 1 million people get whiplash injuries each year, mostly due to motorcycle accidents. However, falls, sports injuries, or any situation that results in a sudden jerk of the head can also lead to this condition.
What are the signs and symptoms of whiplash injury?
The signs and symptoms of whiplash injury range from mild to severe. Normally, symptoms appear within 24 hours. But in some cases, it can take hours to days for symptoms to become apparent.
Some of the common symptoms include:
- Pain/stiffness in the neck
- Muscle spasms in the neck
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Numbness, tingling, or pain in jaws, arms, and shoulders
- Concentration/memory problems
- Tinnitus (Ringing in ears)
- Sleep disturbances
- Difficulty swallowing
To assess the severity of whiplash injury, healthcare professionals often use a grading system known as the Quebec Task Force Classification. This system divides whiplash injuries into four grades:
Grade Classification
0 No complaints about the neck; no physical signs.
I Neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness; no physical signs.
II Neck complaint with musculoskeletal signs (e.g., decreased range of motion).
III Neck complaint with neurological signs (e.g., weakness, sensory deficits).
IV Neck complaint with fracture.
What are the causes/risk factors for whiplash injury?
The most common cause of whiplash injury is vehicle accidents (rear-end car collisions). However, there could also be other factors, including:
- Sports injuries, especially from contact sports like football, rugby, hockey, or wrestling
- High-speed rides, such as roller coasters or bumper cars
- Physical abuse, including violent shaking or sudden blows to the head
- Horse riding accidents, including falls or abrupt movements
- Sudden falls that impact the neck
What is the prognosis of whiplash injury?
The outlook of whiplash injury depends on several factors, such as age or severity of the condition. Many people recover fully within 3 months. However, some may experience chronic symptoms like severe pain and discomfort for months or even years.
What are the complications of whiplash injury?
While many recover fully, some may face complications, such as:
- Chronic neck pain and stiffness
- Frequent headaches
- Depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress
- Decreased quality of life from chronic pain
These complications can be particularly challenging for those with more severe initial symptoms.
Treatment of Whiplash Injury with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ is an advanced treatment approach to treat various injuries with the help of frequency medicine. It works on the principle of neuro-frequency modulation. This therapy uses specific devices called ANF Devices that are charged with certain frequencies to treat injuries from their root cause. Treatment of whiplash injury with ANF Therapy®️ involves the following steps:
1-History:
Treatment of whiplash injury with ANF Therapy®️ starts with a detailed history. Your ANF Therapist may give you a questionnaire to fill out.
They will ask you the following questions:
- Nature and character of pain
- Prior history of neck pain
- How did you have this injury?
- History of trauma
- History of psychological problems
- Have you taken any medications?
2-Physical and Neurological Examination:
After a detailed history, your ANF Therapist will examine you thoroughly. They will palpate areas of inflammation and assess the severity of inflammation in the nerves. The ANF therapist will also check stiffness, tenderness, active pain points, high-pressure pain hypersensitivity, and range of motion in the cervical region.
They might perform certain clinical tests, such as the high-pressure hypersensitivity test, pain perception tests, and brachial plexus provocation tests.
3-Application of Devices:
After creating a personalised treatment protocol, ANF Practitioners will apply ANF Devices to certain body areas. Treating whiplash injury with ANF Therapy®️ involves positive and negative anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, energy, and blood flow devices.
4-Expected Outcome:
Most patients feel significant improvement in their symptoms after the first session. ANF Therapy®️ aims to reduce pain and inflammation by 50% in the first session. The outcome of the treatment with ANF Therapy®️ depends on your body’s response to treatment and the severity of your condition.
5-Follow up:
ANF Devices are charged after every 72 hours. Your ANF Therapist will guide you about these changes and the total sessions required to treat your condition.
Start Your Journey with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ offers an innovative solution for managing whiplash injury. By utilising wearable ANF Devices that emit neurological frequencies, ANF Therapy®️ aims to modulate inflammatory responses, promote healing, and support overall well-being related to health. This non-pharmacological therapy provides a safe and effective approach that improves disease outcomes by targeting the root cause. If you have a whiplash injury, consult an ANF Practitioner or find an ANF Therapist at www.findanf.com to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and want to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, visit www.anfacademy.com to learn more about the ANF Therapy®️ and ANF Clinical Education program.
How to prevent whiplash injury?
You must take preventive measures to avoid whiplash injury. Here are some tips:
- Always wear your seatbelt correctly to reduce the risk of injury in a car accident.
- Ensure your car’s headrest is positioned to support your head properly.
- Maintain safe distances between vehicles and avoid sudden brakes.
- Take regular exercise. It can make the neck more resilient to injuries.
- Use protective gear and stick to safety guidelines during sports.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does whiplash take to heal?
A whiplash injury may take a few weeks to months to heal. Depending on the severity of inflammation, you may need ANF Therapy®️ sessions for 2 to 6 months to treat it completely.How do you treat whiplash?
We treat whiplash injuries with ANF Therapy®️. This innovative approach treats injuries from their root cause by balancing neurological frequencies in the body and activating the body’s natural healing response. A combination of ANF Therapy®️ and adequate water intake may be a highly effective treatment for whiplash injury that aims to provide faster and longer-lasting patient results.Is whiplash a serious injury?
Whiplash injury is not serious if associated with mild stiffness and soreness. Whiplash injuries resulting from minor trauma do not cause any harm. However, whiplash injuries caused by severe spinal injuries can result in permanent disability and can be debilitating.
What not to do during whiplash?
After a whiplash injury, avoid activities that involve neck movement or strain your neck. You can freely do routine tasks without moving your neck. Avoid sports, exercise, weight lifting, and putting pressure on your neck.
