Reference: http://seino-1987.jp/blog/sinkyuu/9864.html
Modified and translated by CFJA
The formal name for “whiplash” is traumatic cervical syndrome. It can be difficult to imagine the condition when you hear the medical term. When your neck is forcefully shaken or you experience a blow to the head that could lead to a “whiplash” state, the first thing to do is to remain still. Moving improperly can cause damage to the bones and blood vessels. After 5 to 10 minutes, you can assess whether the condition is severe or not. If you are conscious and there is no numbness in your limbs, it is likely not a dangerous situation.
Afterward, if you are able to move, it is advisable to seek medical examination. If you are unable to move, call an ambulance.
If no abnormalities are detected through an MRI or CT scan, and you can walk home without difficulty, I would recommend trying acupuncture treatment immediately. Starting acupuncture treatment right after the accident can help prevent the worsening of symptoms.
“whiplash” is rapid head movement (acceleration-deceleration force) causing an injury. It can also occur when there is a direct impact to the head, such as being struck or having an object fall on it (direct force).
The Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders defines whiplash as follows: “Whiplash is the result of an ‘energy transfer’ to the neck caused by a rear-end or side impact in motor vehicle collisions, diving accidents, or other accidental events, occurring through an acceleration-deceleration mechanism.” This energy transfer leads to bone or soft tissue damage, resulting in various clinical symptoms, known as Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD). To be precise, it can be a bit confusing.
WAD is classified into five grades of severity:
Grade 0: No complaints or physical signs in the neck area.
Grade 1: No physical signs, but complaints of non-specific pain in the neck area.
Grade 2: Neck complaints with musculoskeletal signs.
Grade 3: Neck complaints with neurological signs.
Grade 4: Neck complaints with fractures or dislocations.
Symptoms such as hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ears, headaches, memory loss, difficulty swallowing, and temporomandibular joint pain can occur in all grades.
The term “whiplash” commonly refers to Grades 0 to 2.
Treatment for WAD, such as cervical soft collar, steroid injections into the facet joints, porcelain necklaces, and rhythmic electromagnetic therapy, is considered “treatments with little to no scientific evidence of effectiveness.”
Although there is no scientific evaluation, based on our experience, we believe that acupuncture treatment can shorten the duration of symptom relief. For those suffering from “whiplash” symptoms, we encourage you to visit us. From the perspective of someone recovering at home, starting treatment immediately after the accident can reduce the recovery time by about one-third.