The founding director of the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Dr. Arthur Croft, has been conducting whiplash research for the past 25 years. He has received a number of awards, titles, and accolades, and written many books that help us to learn about the effects of whiplash on the spine. Here are a few interesting facts from his life’s work:
- In the USA, 3 million people acquire spinal injuries due to car accidents with half of this number becoming disabled, at least in part.
- Motor vehicle injuries cause 45% of cervical spine (upper neck) pain.
- Annual medical costs, wages, and legal fees due to whiplash are approximately $43 billion.
- People that are shorter have 2-4 times more head linear acceleration than taller people. Taller people will experience their necks bending backward more than shorter people.
Upper Cervical Pain and Chiropractic Care
Therefore, much of the pain a person experiences in his neck or upper spine may be the result of a vehicular accident. This pain may be due to whiplash that was experienced due to the crash. However, it is important to note that whiplash can occur at speeds as low as 5 mph. This means that a person may suffer whiplash from sports-related injuries, falling, or having someone who is running crash into them.
Since whiplash is most often linked to pain in the upper neck, it is important to seek the care of an upper cervical chiropractor to ensure that the neck and spine are in good shape. I examine the necks of my patients to see if any kind of damage has been done due to whiplash or other trauma to the head or neck. I then work with them to correct the problem. I do not twist or pop the spine but rather use a gentle technique that allows the body to work along with its natural healing process. Once corrected, many patients report feeling less pain and being healthier overall.
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Dr. Armen Manoucherian of Health Edge Family Spinal Care in Glendale, California is a Glendale Chiropractor and Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). He has helped many children and adults find natural relief in Glendale, California. His upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of Pasadena, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Burbank. He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems. More information can be found on his website at http://www.healthedgela.com