Whiplash Injuries-what NOT TO DO in the 1st 3 months after an accident
When it comes to whiplash injuries you need to do the correct rehab as quickly as possible. A part of doing the correct things is making sure you don’t do incorrect things. Here is an exerpt from the MAA in Australia from their research-based booklet on the best treatments, neck exercises and things that they recommmend you do not do in the first 3 months after a whiplash injury.
Here they are:
Cervical pillows
The use of commercially-made contoured pillows is not recommended as
there is no evidence to prove their usefulness.
Bed rest
A period of bed rest is not recommended for people with WAD
Grade 1. People with WAD Grades 2 and 3 should not have bed
rest for more than four days.
12
Collars
The use of a collar, sometimes called a neck brace, should not be
prescribed for WAD. If they are prescribed, they should not be used
for more than 48 hours.
Spray and stretch
Spraying the muscle with a cold spray followed by muscle stretching
is not recommended. There is no evidence this technique works.
Steroid injections
Injecting steroids are not recommended for WAD Grades 1 and 2. Steroid
injections may be used for WAD Grade 3. Repeated steroid injections
may cause harm.
Injections of local anaesthetic or sterile water
The injection of local anaesthetic or sterile water into nearby nerves
is not recommended in the early stages of WAD.
Magnetic necklaces
Wearing a magnetic necklace is not recommended. There is no evidence
to prove their usefulness.
Pilates, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique,
massage and homeopathy
These techniques are not recommended for the first 12 weeks.
There is no evidence to show they work during this period.
Whiplash-your most important protection against it
Stretching- Here is one of the worst to do
Which exercises should you do for a pinched nerve
The stretch you should not do for Neck and Shoulder pain
The Best pillows-What the Studies Say
Neck Exercises-The best and Worst to do and Why
Read MoreWhiplash Accidents-Your most important protection against them
How do you protect yourself against whiplash?
Whiplash can occur at less than 10mph and the forces can be up to 15G. Whiplash can do major damage so the best thing you can do is to protect yourself against it.
The most important part of your car to protect your neck from whiplash is your head restraint. It’s often called a headrest which is probably why we don’t think of it as much more than just something to rest our heads against when we are tired and waiting for the lights to change. However, this little thing behind your head is vital in protecting your neck. The height is vital and also is the distance it is from the back of your head.
If you have the head restraint too far away from your head your percentages of getting a whiplash injury go up enormously. This is because if you are hit from behind the head restraint is far away it cannot do its job. Likewise, if your head restraint is too low your head will snap right over the top of it.
Before you drive in your car the next time make sure you check the position of your head restraint. If not, you could be very sorry. An easy way to check is that your head restraint should be no more than 4 finger widths from the back of your head.
The top of a head restraint should reach at least as high as the top of your ear.
Drive Safely.
Read MoreWhiplash-What to do if a car is going to hit you from behind.
Crashes involving whiplash neck injuries happen at lightning-fast speeds, but if you have time to prepare: Put your head and your neck all the way back so that you’re in contact with the
seat back and the properly adjusted head restraint. Straight-arm the steering
wheel and get a good grip. If you are stopped, put your foot on the brake as
hard as you can. Look straight ahead, not in the rearview mirror – don’t have
your head turned at all. Put your neck back slightly so your eyes are looking
level up at about the top of the windshield. Scrunch your shoulders up toward
your ears and then brace.
I hope you never have to be involved in a car collision but at the very least I hope this will help you if something does happen. Happy motoring!
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Read Morewhiplash-how to decrease your risk by 40%
WHIPLASH
What you need to know about it
As more and more people drive cars these days we also inevitably are seeing an increase in car accidents. Whiplash is a common injury and females are 2 times more at risk than males and they are also more likely to develop long term symptoms. It is not well known why this is the case but it is thought that males have stronger neck muscles than females which may help and also because women tend to sit slightly more forward in their seat. When sitting further forward the head travels further before it hits the headrest. Another interesting fact is that drivers tend to have more serious neck injuries than the passengers. This is thought to be because the passengers tend to sit back in more of a reclined position with their heads against the headrests.
Now I have mentioned the head rests a couple or times in regards to whiplash injury but lets take a closer look at these things that we tend to think of as luxury items. I guess it’s because of their names which make us think of them as nothing more than something to rest our heads against. However, they are so much more than that.
How to decrease your risk of whiplash by 40%
When a rear collision occurs the head is thrust backward and into extension of forces up to 12G. A head rest or better termed, head restraint is designed to reduce that rearward motion of the head greatly decreasing your chances of a whiplash injury. With rear end collisions being so common it’s perhaps one of the most important safety features you have in your car.
It should be at head height that means your center of your head should meet the center of the head restraint. You should check yours the next time you decide to go for a drive and spend the time to position it correctly. It’s too late after a crash occurs. A head restraint that is too low allows the head to propel back and OVER it. You also don’t want your head too far forward. It should be no more than 4 finger widths from the head restraint. If you can’t do this comfortably you may want to invest in a car head support for better protection against neck injuries. Research has shown you will decrease your chance of neck injury by 40% with a correctly positioned headrest.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told automakers the head restraints in their passenger vehicles will have to extend higher and fit closer to the backs of people’s heads. For the first time, the new standard addresses the back set. Head restraints will have to be within about 2 inches behind the head.
Also, if you know your going to get hit try to decrease your risk of injury. If you have your head or body turned during a collision it can greatly increase your chances of a significant injury. Keep your eyes on the road and your head straight. If you know you’re going to get hit, then reduce the distance between your head and the head restraint by moving your head back. The car neck pillow reduces the headrest distance and increases your level of safety.
What to do if you know a car is going to hit you from behind
Crashes involving whiplash neck injuries happen at lightning-fast speeds, but if you have time to prepare: Put your head and your neck all the way back so that you’re in contact with the seat back and the properly adjusted head restraint. Straight-arm the steering wheel and get a good grip. If you are stopped, put your foot on the brake as hard as you can. Look straight ahead, not in the rearview mirror – don’t have your head turned at all. Put your neck back slightly so your eyes are looking level up at about the top of the windshield. Scrunch your shoulders up toward your ears and then brace.
I hope you never have to be involved in a car collision but at the very least I hope this will help you if something does happen. Happy motoring!
Stretching- Here is one of the worst to do
Which exercises should you do for a pinched nerve
The stretch you should not do for Neck and Shoulder pain
The Best pillows-What the Studies Say
Neck Exercises-The best and Worst to do and Why
Read MoreAbout Me
Mark Perren-Jones has worked throughout the world’s health spas and health clinics. He did the majority of his study (7 years) in Australia and has treated thousands of clients over the past 20 years with all sorts of neck and back problems. He has studied acupuncture, massage, joint manipulation and mobilization, kinesiology, reflexology, Thai massage, Bowen technique and many other modalities to understand which therapies gets the best therapeutic results and which don’t for particular neck and back problems.
With his 20 years of clinical experience, years of diligent study and research Mark has put together this site so that you can benefit directly from his work. You will be taught not only how to treat your own pain but as importantly what causes your pain in the first place. With the knowledge you gain to remove the causes of your neck and back pain, means you will not have to suffer anymore. 
I have my new DVD out now which will show you in my easy 3 step approach how to alleviate your own neck pain.
Neck pain and especially stiff necks are not difficult to treat once you know how ( ie.remove the major causes of your neck pain and stiffness.)
I will show you how simple it is to treat your neck pain & stiffness both quickly and easily.