In spite of all the awareness campaigns, traffic accidents remain a reality affecting thousands of people each year. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after a traffic accident, affecting a significant percentage of people involved in a car crash, in spite of this not being correctly reflected in official statistics. As a matter of fact, an estimated 30% of all people involved in head to tail collisions specifically, suffer this type of injury.
Unlike other more visible injuries, the whiplash may go unnoticed at first, as its symptoms do not always manifest immediately. Nevertheless, the consequences of this injury can be tangible and significantly affect the life quality of those suffering from it.
This article will discuss whiplash in detail, from its definition and symptoms to its diagnosis and efficient treatment with Capenergy technology.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash, also called cervical strain, and known to doctors as “two-phased hyperflexion and hyperextension” is a common injury produced by a rapid and brusque back and forth movement of the head, similar to that of a whip. The muscles of the neck are compressed on one side and stretched out on the other side, before returning to their initial position. This sudden movement causes pulled or strained muscles, ligaments or tendons of the neck area, generating pain, stiffness and limited mobility.
How does a cervical strain or whiplash come to be?
A whiplash is very common in traffic accidents, especially in head to tail collisions, where the head is brusquely propelled forwards and back. Nevertheless, it can also happen in other situations that imply a brusque movement of the head, such as:
- Sports accidents: Falls, blows or rapid changes of direction can cause a whiplash.
- Physical abuse: Activities that imply excessive effort or brusque movements of the neck can cause the injury.
- Other traumas: Falls, direct blows to the head or brusque movements in other situations can also cause a whiplash.
Symptoms of whiplash
Whiplash symptoms vary in intensity and duration, based on the severity of the injury, mainly manifesting as intense pain localized in the neck area, causing muscle contraction and painful limited mobility. Other common symptoms are:
- Intense pain in the neck area, with possible radiation towards the nape, shoulders and arms.
- Muscle stiffness and contraction in the neck area.
- Difficulty to move the head.
- Vertigo or dizziness.
- Headache.
- Sickness
- Fatigue.
- Tingling or numb arms.
Diagnosis of whiplash
The diagnosis of whiplash is based on the patient’s clinical history, a physical exam and, in some cases, additional tests such as x-rays or MRI.
The severity of the whiplash is determined through its classification in four grades:
- Grade 0: Pain and mild muscle contracture.
- Grade I: Pain, stiffness and muscle contraction but without physical signs.
- Grade II: Moderate pain and muscle contraction causing limited movement.
- Grade III: Pain and muscle contracture completely limiting neck movements.
Whiplash treatment
The treatment of whiplash centers mostly on the relief of pain and inflammation, improved mobility and the prevention of further complications. The recovery time will depend on the grade of the whiplash, ranging from a couple of weeks (mild) to two or three months.
In certain patients, the most common treatment consists in the stimulation of the nervous fibers, through the application of low intensity electrical currents. The aim is pain relief, but it’s a long recovery process that requires a minimum of 30 to 40 treatment sessions.
Capenergy: an efficient alternative for whiplash treatment
Capenergy’s technology offers an efficient alternative for whiplash treatment, noticeably shortening the recovery time in comparison to other technologies and treatment applications.
With Capenergy’s radiofrequency treatment, thanks to its profound hyperthermia, you will achieve:
- Reduction of pain and inflammation.
- Improved blood circulation.
- Acceleration of the healing process.
- Reduced muscle contraction.
- Improved blood perfusion inside the muscle, altered by the injury.
The protocol includes a localized application on the neck and drainage of the upper limbs, thus reducing inflammation, pain and post-injury muscle contractions.
The application of Capenergy’s technology boosts the vascularization of the area, generating an anti-inflammatory effect and accelerating the recovery process after a whiplash. This translates into a significant reduction of the period of functional impairment and prevents the injury becoming chronic, with the possibility of recovery in merely 4 to 5 treatment sessions, depending on the grade of the injury.
In short, Capenergy’s radiofrequency is an efficient alternative in the treatment of injuries such as cervical strains caused by traffic accidents, noticeably reducing recovery times in comparison to other available technologies and treatments, and significantly improving the patient’s life quality.
Would you like to know more about Capenergy’s radiofrequency and how it can help in the treatment of different ailments at your clinic? Request a free demo.
CAPENERGY MEDICAL, SL en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER. La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo internacional de la empresa y de su entorno.
CAPENERGY MEDICAL, SL en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER. La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo internacional de la empresa y de su entorno.
CAPENERGY MEDICAL, SL en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER. La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo internacional de la empresa y de su entorno.
CAPENERGY MEDICAL, SL en el marco del Programa ICEX Next, ha contado con el apoyo ICEX y con la cofinanciación del fondo europeo FEDER. La finalidad de este apoyo es contribuir al desarrollo internacional de la empresa y de su entorno.
