What is Whiplash or CAD trauma?
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked back and forth. It can result from forward, backward, or side-to-side movement, this is called CAD trauma or cervical acceleration deceleration injury. CAD damages the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues in your neck and upper back along with the joints in the spine and the discs that cushion the spinal column. This can also occur in the lumbar spine.
What Causes CAD?
Rear-end motor vehicle collisions are a common cause of CAD, but injuries sustained in contact sports, falls, and other types of trauma can also cause it to occur.
CAD symptoms may not be immediately apparent following an crash or injury. In some cases, symptoms don’t appear for a week or so. Symptoms can sometimes go undetected and therefore untreated for quite some time. This means you should not assume that you are not injured if you have been involved in a motor vehicle crash or sustained an injury that jarred your head, neck and back.
What Are the Symptoms of CAD?
CAD injuries usually include:
- Neck mid back and low back pain and stiffness
- Pain that increases with movement
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Decreased range of motion in the neck
- Fatigue
- Tingling in arms
- Tenderness in injured areas
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Blurry vision
- Insomnia
- Ringing in the ears
Symptoms vary from person to person. If CAD was caused by a traffic accident, the direction of impact, speed of the vehicles, as well as your age, gender, and physical condition will play a role in determining your injuries.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment for CAD
CAD injuries usually result in damage to your ligaments, muscles, tendons, and joints, often causing neurological symptoms. It can also cause cervical spinal misalignments including vertebral joints and herniated discs. These problems can put pressure on the nerves that branch off from your spinal column, causing even more pain, discomfort and radiating symptoms.
Our team at LeBaron Chiropractic works to restore your range of motion and spinal joint function. Our office in Mesa uses manipulation, massage therapy, exercise rehab, traction and soft tissue rehab to address your CAD injury.
CAD and Your Quality of Life
Some people recover from CAD without medical intervention. However, for many, CAD significantly impacts their quality of life. The symptoms of CAD can linger for years if not treated soon after the crash. If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle collision or crash contact us at (480) 969-6166 for an assessment within the first 48 hours!
