Immobilization Following Whiplash

Immobilization Following Whiplash in Baltimore

As a Chiropractor that treats patients with neck pain following Whiplash in Baltimore, I routinely see patients referred to me from medical doctors that come in wearing a cervical spine collar (soft neck collar). Many of these patients have already had radiographs taken (x-rays) which have been cleared and are negative for fracture or dislocation. Those patients sometimes continue to wear the soft collar due to medical advice and sometimes they continue to wear them out of fear of harming themselves.

Almost without exception soft collars are NOT NECESSARY following neck trauma due to Baltimore car accidents.

The Bone and Joint Decade review notes “there is consistent evidence from 2 RCTs (randomized control trials) and one nonrandomized study that soft or rigid collars alone or in combination with other treatments were not associated with greater pain or disability reduction in the short or long term (up to 1 year) in persons with acute WAD (whiplash) when compared with advice to rest, exercises, and mobilization, and usual or no care.”

A link to the Bone and Joint Decade article can be found here.

If you are injured in a Baltimore auto accident and develop whiplash with neck pain, by all means get the medical care you need. If an EMT puts a collar on you to stabilize your neck so that you can go to the emergency room for x-rays, you should comply. Once you are “cleared” and your neck is “stable” do yourself a favor and do not wear a soft collar. The prolonged immobilization can actually slow your ability to heal by limiting motion to the tissues of the neck.

If you, or someone you know, has suffered from neck pain and whiplash associated with a Baltimore car accident please contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic at (443) 842-5500. We would be glad to help!

Dr. Gulitz