Whiplash

One of the world's top whiplash research programs is provided by the Spine Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD) which is committed to providing research and education in the area of spinal health and injury prevention, especially cervical spine injuries that result from whiplash trauma.

Dr. Cammisa inspecting a vehicle prior to test crashing at Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

In The Blink of An Eye . . . . chronic pain!

When a person is involved in a low speed rear-end collision, whiplash can occur in about 75 msec, about the time it takes to blink.  This causes an "S" shaped buckle that occurs 2-3 times faster than the cervical musculature can fully react.  The buckling causes muscle spasms due to the injury of the cervical facet capsular ligament.

If left uncorrected, this can permanently change the biomechanics of the cervical spine, often leading to chronic pain.

Dr. Cammisa received two certifications from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego (SRISD), one in Whiplash an Brain Injury Traumatology and Motor Vehicle Crash Forensic Risk Analysis.  He has also received Graduation of Advanced Programs, the highest level of certification from SRISD.  His training has led him to be a sought-after expert in the treatment of whiplash and vehicle crash injuries.

Dr. Cammisa was involved in research done by the Spine Research Institue of San Diego.  The research team recorded data from 11 human subjects rear-end low speed crashes in speeds ranging from 4 mph to 9 mph.  One of the tools we use to diagnose whiplash injuries is a researched based x-ray digitization for spinal biomechanics.  This objective information provides us the exact location, severity, instability and abnormal motion of the injured segments.  This report determines treatment protocol.  The sooner the patient received care to correct the injury, the greater chance of restoring normal spinal motion without creating chronic pain cycles.

Rear-end crash: Has this happened to you?

Actual Case Study:

A patient was waiting at a red light, he was suddenly struck/hit from behind by another car at low speed.  There was little damage to the car (not the actual photo). He was surprised that he felt pain in his neck and was x-rayed at the hospital, and sent home with medication.   He followed up with the M.D., was given different medication, but he still had neck pain.  X-rays were normal.  The patient was then referred to Cammisa Chiropractic and was evaluated for whiplash injuries.

What happens when you get hit from behind?

Whiplash is not a fracture, but a sprain in the neck ligaments (like twisting your ankle).  This occurs because your neck moves in two directions at the same time, causing your neck to buckle (an “S” shape).  This occurs in about the time it takes you to blink; it’s so fast you are not aware that this just happened. 

Risk Factors that can increase injuries at very slow speeds: 

*Not wearing your seat belt

*Improper head restraint positioning (Most Critical)

*Head turned at impact

*Prior accidents

*Talking on cell phone

*Poor posture in car

Can I be injured if I do not have pain?

With the weight of your head about the same as a bowling ball, it does not take much impact to cause injury.  A common mistake is to think that No pain equals No injury.  With the advancements in technology and research on how to diagnose whiplash injuries, the safest thing you can do if you have been in any kind of accident is to be evaluated.

Tips to Reduce the Risk of Injury

1) **30 Second Head Restraint Adjustment**   Most drivers don't know how to properly position the head restraint.  The purpose of "Head Restraints", more commonly known as "Head Rests", is actually not to give your head a rest, but to prevent or reduce the injuries in the event of a rear-impact crash.  The "height" of the head restraint should be to the top of your head, and the "backset" no more than a couple of fingers width from the back of your head.

2) Check your head restraint position in every car you drive, including rentals.

3) Cell phones:  Use a head set or speaker phone.

4) If you are about to get hit, look straight ahead, and push your head into the head restraint.

Research has shown that proper positioning o fthe driver's and passenger's head restraint can prevent neck injuries.  Over 3 million whiplash injuries occur each year in the U.S. and about half will hae some type of life-long symptoms, from very minor to severe.