Cervicalgia CBL

Question 1

What is whiplash technically?

Answer 1

Hyperextension and then hyperflexion of the cervical spine

Question 2

What areas of the body are injured in whiplash?

Answer 2

Spine, joints, vertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, soft tissue, local and spinal nerves

Possible symptoms:

• dizziness
• nausea
• vision problems
• headaches
• TMJ
• anxiety/depression
• fatigue
• nonspecific myofascial pain
• reticular pain

Question 3

What are known to be beneficial in whiplash?

Answer 3

Early mobilization and manipulation

Early return to normal activities

Physical therapy

treatment should be done immediately with soft gentle techniques rather than wait (this includes OMT)

Question 4

Sprain vs strain

Answer 4

Sprain = abnormal stretch or tear of the ligaments

Strain = abnormal stretch/tear of the muscles

Question 5

What muscle is often the cause of posterior neck pain in whiplash?

Answer 5

SCM dysfunction
- the hypertonicity of the SCM in whiplash will cause the posterior muscles will compensate by being hypertonic and stretching themselves, causing posterior pain

Question 6

When should radiology be done for whiplash?

Answer 6

Should be obtained early to exclude fractures of subluxations that need to be taken care of soon.
- findings usually are normal but that’s okay (occasionally will show mild kyphosis or loss of lordosis)

MRI is not done unless neurological signs are present
- in this case, MUST MRI

Question 7

OMM cervical in children and elderly

Answer 7

Infants = DONT use direct articulatory techniques

Elderly = watch for degenerative processes and be careful with direct techniques (still can do but must screen carefully)
- deliver less OMT at more frequent intervals