Whiplash Disorder

Dr. Nichol Tang, D.C.  

Many patients don't realize that a past accident could be causing their neck pain. Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) refers to a set of neck symptoms typically caused by rapid acceleration or deceleration, such as in a car crash. WAD is the most common traffic accident injury, affecting 37.7% of cases. Whiplash can also occur during slips, falls, or sports activities that involve a blow to the head.

Whiplash injuries to the neck's bone or soft tissue can cause various symptoms, including neck pain, stiffness, sensorimotor dysfunction, psychological disturbance, dizziness, balance issues, cognitive problems, sleep disturbance, and pain in other body parts.

What exactly is it?

In Hong Kong, most traffic accidents are fortunately mild to moderate and rarely result in severe injuries or death. However, those with chronic neck pain often overlook previous collisions as a potential cause. Whiplash occurs when a car is hit and suddenly decelerates, causing the head to jerk forward and then rapidly backward. Improper headrest height and not wearing seat belts can worsen whiplash injuries.

The collision force directly affects neck structures—muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, nerves, and bones. These impacts can cause structural changes and instability, leading to various symptoms.

Classification of WAD

Medical professionals use a grading system to assess neck damage following a traffic accident based on symptoms.