WHIPLASH
In our car-oriented society, whiplash injury cases are commonly seen in acupuncture practice. These patients typically have long-term physical and subjective symptoms for which acupuncture treatment is  a useful modality.
Factors
According to 1994 estimates, upwards of 1 million people sustain whiplash-type injuries per year in United States. Of more than 11 million motor vehicle accidents that year, 2.6 million involved rear-end collisions in. Women (especially 20- to 40-year age group) have persistent neck pain more often than men, by a ratio of 7:3.
Whiplash injury refers to neck injury, resulting from hyperextension followed by flexion that occurs when an occupant of a motor vehicle is hit from behind by another vehicle. Other terms have been used such as cervical sprain, cervical myofacial pain Syndrome, acceleration-deceleration injury, hyperextension injury and soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury.
One study (3) showed the ten most-reported symptoms with their estimated prevalence: neck pain (97%), headache (97%), TMJ (82%), Shoulder pain (65%), anxiety (55%), back pain (42%), depression (41%), visual symptoms (blurred vision) (35%), and dizziness (23%). The clinical features of whiplash injury include myofascial injury (cervical strain, muscle tears, and/or rupture of ligaments), cervical disc herniation, cervical spine fracture and cervical facet-joint injury. Acupuncture has demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect on myofascial injuries.
Therapeutic Effect of Acupuncture
Although whiplash injury patients are commonly seen in acupuncture clinics, only a few clinical trials and research projects has been conducted. One reported that 25 patients with whiplash injury, most of whom had twelve treatments at twice weekly intervals. Improvement was noted in 84% of patients. Another had a trial with 153 patients suffering from pain, edematous conditions, and impaired movement following traumas sustained in accidents who were treated or "after-treated" with acupuncture. With a standardized acupuncture program, the improvement was significant in all nine groups Acupuncture also proved itself to be an effective form of therapy for after-treatment.
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ACUPUNCTURE and WHIPLASH
According to TCM pathogenesis analysis, during the strain and sprain, Qi is first shocked, then moves fast, causing congestion and stagnation (Qi Stagnation). And when Qi stagnates, blood circulation will be impeded and blood will coagulate (Blood Stasis).
When Qi and blood are impaired, body fluid is also involved so the body fluid metabolism becomes disordered. Gradually, the body produces Turbid Phlegm which then blocks the meridian circulation. This is why the patient complains of pain and numbness of the neck and extremities.
In the other circumstance after sprain and injury, blood clots are in retention in the body which also impedes the blood circulation. Gradually, it will impair the liver. Sprain lasting for a long time also impairs the kidney, leading to Liver and kidney Insufficiency that will cause neck soreness, weakness, blurred vision and vertigo.
Severe soft tissue injury causes Qi and blood stagnation. The disarrangement spreads from exterior to interior so both Qi and blood impaired. Gradually, the Qi and Blood are both Deficiency situation. So the symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness and lingering pain and soreness developed.
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© 2010 Dr. Jason Tsai, D.O.M., A.P.,
Licensed in the State of Florida.