A study published in 2009 shows that occupants in car crashes with no damage, had the same incidence of a back injury as those involved in more violent crashes.1 No damage crashes are typically rear end collisions at under five mile per hour. This research and other papers show that low speed collisions can cause serious spine and spinal cord injury to the occupants, especially seniors with spinal stenosis.3 Insurance adjusters try to use the rationale that if there was no damage to the car, then there could not be significant damage to the occupant…this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most doctors are also guilty of not understanding the potential impact of low speed rear impact collisions (LOSRICs).
Have you noticed the height of your head rest? Did you know that setting it to its highest position can literally save your neck? If your head rest is too low, and you are hit in a rear impact collision, even one under 5 mph, your head will literally wrap around the headrest (if to low), and increase the damage to your spine.2 This is just one of many factors that cause occupant injury in low speed rear impact collisions under 5 mph.
If you or someone you know, has been injured in a car crash, you should be evaluated for a spinal injury by someone that understands low speed collisions can cause serious injury. Often time whiplash injuries lead to chronic pain and disability, and early treatment is essential to proper healing of muscles and ligaments. Spinal manipulation is proven to be a safe, affordable, effective, and drug free way to rehabilitate whiplash injuries. Chiropractors are considered an expert wittiness in the court of law. If you or someone you know, is ever in need of a whiplash evaluation, please contact our office to schedule an evaluation. (828)324-0800
Visit Us On the Web: www.alliancechiropracticcenter.com and www.ncfibroclinic.com
1. Beattie N, Lovell ME. 2009. Can patients with low energy whiplash associated disorder develop low back pain? Injury. Jul 20.
2. Venkataramana MP, Hans SA, Bawab SY, Keifer OP, Woodhouse ML, Layson PD. 2005. Effects of initial seated position in low speed rear-end impacts: a comparison with the TNO rear impact dummy (TRID) model. Traffic Inj Prev. Mar;6(1):77-85.
3. Viano DC. 2008. Seat design principles to reduce neck injuries in rear impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. Dec;9(6):552-60.
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