Expert: Dr. Victor Dolan, DC, DACBSP - 7/17/2008

Question
Hi, I was in a low impact car accident 6 months ago, the car hit my stationary car from the rear and it was going really slow. But my seat came off the floor and I hit my knees on the dash etc etc. From this I end up with a lower disc problem but my oesteopath helped fix this, but my neck problem hasnt resolved. The pain is incredible when it is triggered. It affects my left side - eye droops, shoulder arm , tingling fingers no grip and the pain from the back of my head the front is unbearable, no one has seen me like this except my family as by the time I manage to get an appointment the sapams? have preety much ended, but I had one at work and ended up needing to go to hospital for pain relief so I could sit in a car to get home. I also seem to go really stupid. This happens about 1-2 times a month. The professional views are mixed, hospital staff who saw me during this pain said I will probably have this for rest of my life, GP said it may go but he's not a fortune teller, oesteopath said he will fix it. Oesteopath said pain is due to bone locked at side of my neck  restricting blood flow to my head (brain?) and trapping a nerve. I am quite scared as family say during spasm period I look like I had a stroke. I dont know what to do to manage this except the route I am taking, ice pain relief and oesteopath twice a month.
I am I at risk of having a stroke from this? Can I still do my mandatory training in a few months which is 5 days of quite difficult physical - control and restraint. I find it hard to concentrate these days as well even when not having spasm.
I would apperciate some advice whether this will get any better or do I statrt to adjust my life around this more?
thank u for your time.
tracy

Answer
Whiplash, cervical sprain strain, cervical acceleration deceleration injury, muscle spasm, stroke, accept it?

Hello Tracy,

Sorry to hear of your auto accident and resultant injuries.

Why has your back resolved, but not the neck?  Ask your Osteopath this question.  Also, with such severe symptoms,,, why only two visits per month?

Obviously your lower back and neck problems can be vastly different, but ask the doctor who is treating you for a complete diagnosis, and following that- a treatment plan, and prognosis.  

Many, many years ago Doctors of Osteopathy would routinely manipulate the spine and joints.  Then, the osteopaths became very similar to medical doctors, almost discarding their manipulation for allopathic medical approaches (medicine, surgery).  Recently Osteopathic Doctors are returning to their manipulative roots- using physical medicine more often and chemical medicine less.

Of course, as a Doctor of Chiropractic, I will admit my bias FOR physical manipulative medicine approaches, and of course, I am biased FOR the chiropractic adjustment manipulative approaches.

Has your Osteopath had MRIs, EMG/ncvs performed upon you?, Has your Osteopath been manipulating your neck as well as the lower back?

When patients come to my Staten Island Chiropractic office, I usually adjust from top to bottom; I adjust the neck, midback, low back all on the same day in the same visit.  When someone is severe enough, it is not unusual for me to see someone twice in the same day- once early, the second late in the day.  A visit regimen of daily visits or three times a week is not unusual with a severe enough case.  Twice a month is not going to handle severe problems.  Twice a month, once a month is when you are approaching maintenance levels of care.

I recommend you discuss this with your Osteopath.  If you are not happy with the answers, see your local Doctor of Chiropractic.

Staten Island Auto Accidents bring a lot of patients to this Doctor. Whiplash is a common condition that is treated quite successfully in the chiropractic office.

I have some information handouts I utilize in the office- this may be helpful to you:

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“Whiplash”    ( Also Known As-  Cervical  Sprain/ Strain,  CAD= Cervical Acceleration/ Deceleration Injury)
Sometimes  a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a ‘Whiplash Injury’.  This can result in ligament sprain, muscle strain, and ‘pinched nerves’.
Ultimately-  the    c a u s e   of  the neck stiffness and pain; a cause of stretched ligaments and muscle strain is a misalignment,  a ‘kink’ in the neck- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation.  Sometimes ‘Whiplash’ symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months after the actual trauma !
Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A  subluxation  interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system  (the master system  which controls and coordinates all function within the body)  and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.

This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.

The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  For good health- Treat the   Cause,  not just the Symptoms.
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Disk   Herniation

Herniated  disk  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.   However,  the course of the condition is highly variable.   Some patients with a herniated disk literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.   Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow:  Ice the area when painful-  10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off;  avoid certain postures and movements;  bend the knees when coughing or sneezing;  bend the knees when lifting anything;  do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving.   Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition.   Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful.
Disk  Herniation  is often caused by, or often  concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
         Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  ‘subluxation’)
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
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I hope this helps.  Of course actual evaluation, DX, TX, PX must be performed in person by an appropriate health professional.

Wishing you Good Health Naturally,

Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://www.GoodHealthNaturally.info
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com  (email newsletter)
http://www.DocDolan.net