Treatment of Neck Pain after a Whiplash Accident: Results of Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010

Whiplash and neck pain are complex injuries that involve the delicate soft tissues and nerves of the neck. They are often due to a motor vehicle accident or another type of trauma. Even car accidents at low speeds can produce significant neck injury. These patients also suffer with midback pain, lower back pain, arm pain, as well as headaches and vertigo (dizziness). For some people, the symptoms go away quickly, but for others their suffering can last for years.

There are many different treatment options for neck pain. Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Osteopaths, and Surgeons all treat neck pain in a different fashion. Some neck pain sufferers will try home remedies, physical therapists, personal trainers, and massage therapy. It can be fustrating to decide what type of treatment to persue and what will work for you.

The Medical Journal SPINE recently published the results of a best-evidence review of all neck pain treatments. The Bone and Joint Decade task force reviewed literature of non surgical non-invasive treatments from 1980-2006. 139 papers were considered scientifically valid for review and covered topics such as:

• educational videos
• mobilization (deep stretching movements)
• manual therapy (done by hand)
• low level laser therapy
• exercises
• accupuncture

Also, researchers also looked at costs and safety of treatments. There conclusion was that treatments involving manual therapy and exercise are more effective than alternative strategies for neck pain patients.

So before you make a decision as to how to treat your neck pain consider non drug, non surgical options for recovering from your whiplash.

Source: SPINE (Hurwitz, et al. Spine 2008;33:S123-52)