Pain Relief Chiropractic William Holdsworth

Research regarding whiplash or whiplash associated disorders (WAD) classically focuses on neck pain; however, the data show acute thoracic spine / mid-back pain (MBP) occurs in 66% of WAD injures with 23% still complaining of MBP at one-year post-injury.

It’s easy to visualize how the cervical spine or neck can be injured in an automobile collision (or sport-related collision or a fall) as the head, which weighs an average or twelve pounds, whips back and forth in a “crack-the-whip” like manner, often well beyond the normal, physiological range of motion. This same stretching (eccentric loading) followed by compression (concentric loading) also occurs in the mid-back, which can injure ligaments, joint capsules, neural structures, and more. Also, the thoracic spine contributes to 33% of flexion and 21% of rotation IN THE NECK, making the mid-back a vital spinal region that facilitates neck movement and function!

In WAD cases, mid-back pain often hides in the shadows of a more obvious and often more serious neck injury, as the brain typically perceives pain from the greatest source.  Additionally, the neuronal input to the sensory cortex of the brain (the area of the brain that perceives pain) is most highly represented from the head, hands, and feet and less from the mid-back or torso.

The seat belt may also contribute to injury—both to the anterior chest region including rib cage, sternum, breast tissue, abdominal organs, as well as to the mid-back. The oblique angle of the chest-restraint is an important factor when discussing the mechanism of injury, as it causes trunk/torso rotation during the rebound or flexion phase of WAD. Another mechanism of injury includes blunt trauma, of which the driver is especially at risk due to the close proximity of the steering wheel and the chest. This can lead to contusion or bruising, fracture, and/or injury to the abdominal and/or chest organs (heart and lungs).

Obviously, the speed of impact, angle of the collision, bracing of the person (or lack thereof), and overall physical condition of the patient can greatly affect the outcome of WAD-related injuries. The importance of assessing the whole person is essential in obtaining an accurate diagnosis and establishing a comprehensive treatment plan for the WAD patient.

Chiropractic management focuses on the entire person, frequently uncovering complaints in other spinal regions as well as in the extremities in WAD-related injured patients. Moreover, treating postural issues such as a short leg, ankle pronation, oblique pelvis, forward head posture, protracted shoulders, and more is vitally important in obtaining satisfying patient outcomes!

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When treating patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), doctors of chiropractic can employ a variety of options to reduce pressure on the median nerve. While this can include dietary recommendations (to reduce inflammation), adjustments to address dysfunction elsewhere along the course of the median nerve, or even working with other healthcare providers to manage conditions that contribute to CTS (like diabetes), treatment will often focus on the wrist itself.

One such approach is referred to as neurodynamic techniques, or mobilization. In a study involving 103 patients with mild-to-moderate CTS, those who received treatment twice a week for ten weeks experienced greater improvements with respect to pain reduction, symptom severity, functional status, and nerve function than participants in a control group who received no treatment. The authors concluded, “The use of neurodynamic techniques in conservative treatment for mild to moderate forms of carpal tunnel syndrome has significant therapeutic benefits.”

This finding is supported by two previous studies that found the use of manual therapies on the wrist can alter the shape of the carpal tunnel itself and allow more room for the tendons, blood vessels, and median nerve.

Additionally, studies show that when the wrist moves beyond a neutral position, it can alter the shape of the carpal tunnel and increase pressure on its contents. In a healthy wrist, full extension/flexion can double pressure in the carpal tunnel; however, for CTS patients, the pressure can increase as much as 600%. That’s why many treatment guidelines recommend wearing a wrist splint (especially at night) and modifying work and life activities to keep the wrist in a neutral position as much as possible.

The good news is that in most cases of CTS, patients will benefit from a conservative treatment approach; however, achieving a successful outcome can be more difficult if the patient delays treatment. That’s why it’s important to consult with your doctor of chiropractic when you experience the signs and symptoms associated with CTS (pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands or fingers) sooner rather than later.

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The term whiplash associated disorders (WAD) describes a constellation of symptoms that includes (partial list) pain, stiffness/limited motion, dizziness, headache, depression/anxiety, and brain-fog. The condition is associated with accelerations/deceleration events like car accidents, sports collisions, or slip and falls. Such injuries are classified into four categories: WAD I (no/minimal complaints/injury), WAD II (soft-tissue injury – muscle/tendon and/or ligament injury), WAD III (nerve injury), WAD IV (fracture). More than 85% of those involved in a motor vehicle collision (MVC) experience neck pain, with 29-40% recovering within a little more than three months and about 23% still not having recovered after one year.

A 2016 systematic review generated treatment guidelines for patients with WAD and/or neck associated disorders (NAD) in the context of both a recent injury and for cases in which pain has persisted for longer than three months. Importantly, these guidelines were formed with input from several types of healthcare providers, including doctors of chiropractic, medical doctors, and physical therapists.

For recent-onset neck pain (0-3 months), the authors recommend multimodal care (multiple types); manipulation or mobilization; range-of-motion home exercise or multimodal manual therapy (for grades I-II NAD); adding supervised graded strengthening exercise (grade III NAD); and multimodal care (grade III WAD).

For persistent neck pain (more than 3 months), the review recommends multimodal care or stress self-management; manipulation with soft tissue therapy; high-dose massage; supervised group exercise; supervised yoga; supervised strengthening exercises or home exercises (grades I-II NAD); multimodal care or practitioner’s advice (grades I-III NAD); and supervised exercise with advice or advice alone (grades I-II WAD). For patients with persistent neck and shoulder pain, evidence supports mixed supervised and unsupervised high-intensity strength training or advice alone (grades I-III NAD).

The term, “multi-modal care” is defined as a grouping of manipulation, mobilization, and soft tissue techniques (myofascial release, contract-hold, trigger point therapy, muscle energy, and more).  Multi-modal care may also incorporate the use of hot or cold packs, assisted stretching, advice to stay active or modify activity, and neck/shoulder exercise training. Doctors of chiropractic often take a multi-modal approach when treating patients with musculoskeletal pain, including those with whiplash associated disorders.

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As with most musculoskeletal conditions, treatment guidelines for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) recommend non-surgical or conservative management initially, with surgery only in emergency situations or after non-surgical options are exhausted. So, is there a way to know who will respond best to non-surgical approaches?

To answer this, researchers conducted a two-stage study that included an initial evaluation followed by non-surgical treatment and a re-evaluation one year after non-surgical treatment concluded. The primary goal of the study was to assess factors contributing to the long-term effects of non-surgical treatment of CTS and to identify failure risk factors.

The study involved 49 subjects diagnosed with CTS, of which an occupational cause was identified in 37 (76%). Because some patients had CTS in both hands (bilateral CTS), a total of 78 hands/wrists were included in the study. Treatment included a total of ten sessions of whirlpool massage to the wrist and hand, ultrasound, and median nerve glide exercises performed at home. The subjects were divided into three age groups: 50, 51-59, ≥60 years old.

While most patients experienced significant improvement in both stages of the study, some did not. Patients with more severe cases, as evidenced by poor results on a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test, were less likely to respond to care, which underscores the importance of seeking care for CTS as soon as symptoms develop. Furthermore, participants who continued to overuse their hands at work or who did not modify their work procedures or workstation to reduce the forces applied on the hands and wrist were less likely to report significant improvements at the one-year point. Interestingly, age was not found to be a significant risk factor, which is surprising, as past studies have reported that being age over 50 is a risk factor.

Not only are doctors of chiropractic trained in the same non-surgical treatment methods used in this study, but they can combine such approaches with nutritional counseling (to reduce inflammation) and manual therapies to improve function in the wrist and other sites along the course of the median nerve to achieve the best possible results for their patients.

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As screens (televisions, computers, and smartphones/tablets) become an increasingly important part of daily life, many people gradually take on a more slumped posture, which can place added strain on the neck and shoulders, raising the risk for neck pain and headaches. Luckily, it’s possible to improve forward head posture, rounded shoulder posture, and scapular instability with neck-specific exercises and chiropractic care.

In a 2018 study, patients with forward head posture performed either scapular stabilization or neck stabilization exercises for 30 minutes three times a week for four weeks. Participants in both groups experienced improvements related to their craniocervical angle and muscle activity around the upper back and neck, with greater results reported by the scapular stabilization group.

Several studies have shown similar results for improving forward head posture using both scapular and neck stabilization exercises. In another study, high schoolers with forward head posture performed scapular and neck stabilization exercises and exhibited good posture up to four months later.

A 2019 study looked at the effect of a six-week intervention featuring manual therapy and/or stabilizing exercises on 60 women with neck pain and forward head posture. Participants in both the manual therapy/stabilization exercise-combo group and the stabilization exercises-only group reported better outcomes with respect to head posture, pain reduction, and improved function, but the results were best in the combined treatment group. The authors concluded that manual therapy adds a meaningful role to a structured exercise program that addresses scapular and neck instability and forward head and rounded shoulder posture.

Doctors of chiropractic often incorporate exercise training in their treatment recommendations, especially when postural issues may contribute to the patient’s symptoms, like neck pain and headaches.

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While doctors of chiropractic enjoy helping their patients get better, the preference is to avoid injury in the first place, and if that’s not possible, to reduce the risk for serious injury. This is especially important when it comes to car accidents, as whiplash associated disorders (WAD) injuries can persist for months to years and greatly reduce one’s ability to carry out their normal activities.

One of the most important steps you can take is to focus on the road while driving and eliminate distractions, which includes not texting while driving. In one study, researchers observed that even using hands-free functions increased the risk a driver would drift into another lane, drive too closely to the car in front of them, and be less responsive to changing road conditions. Other common distractions include fiddling with the radio, eating, reading (yes, people do this!), talking with other passengers (especially if you turn your head to look at them), and driving while intoxicated, while under the influence of legal/illicit drugs or medications, or while tired.

Strategies to stay safe on the road include taking regular breaks (if driving a long distance), keeping your eyes moving (check mirrors frequently), not speeding or driving faster than road conditions allow, following traffic rules, using your signals, avoiding night and bad weather driving, heeding caution signs, and keeping your car properly serviced (including making sure there is enough air in your tires and that your tires are in good condition). Additionally, it’s important to respond quickly to vehicle recalls. As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”

Sometimes it’s not always possible to avoid an accident. Wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk you’ll be ejected from the vehicle in the event of an accident (which almost certainly results in fatality) or suffer more serious injuries. Making sure your head rest is properly adjusted can also reduce your risk for a serious head/neck injury.

Automobile manufacturers continue to implement safety improvements in their vehicles. For example, a review of data between 1995 to 2016 supports that vehicle safety design improvements reduced the frequency of rollover crashes from 7% to 3.5% when comparing 1995-1999 vs. 2010-2016 model year vehicles, respectively. Starting in 1997, General Motors (GM) introduced high retention seats in their new model cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks. A recent study compared the 1991 to 2000 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data to the 2001-2008 FARS data to evaluate the impact of high retention seats. The data show that in rear impacts, high retention seats reduced the fatality risk from 27.1% to 16.6% and the risk of serious injury by 70.2%.

If you’re involved in a car accident, even a low-speed collision, it’s important to be evaluated by a doctor of chiropractic to ensure any soft-tissue injuries that result are properly treated as soon as possible in order to reduce your risk for ongoing pain and disability.

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