Whiplash Information

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Whiplash

Whiplash is a widely use term to define any violent movement of the neck.  Usually associated with car accident but also can be from sports or falls.  Really anything that forces your head to violently move in any direction.   
What happens:

Whiplash injuries most often result in sprain-strain of the neck. The ligaments that help support, protect, and restrict excessive movement of the vertebrae are torn, which is called a sprain. The joints in the back of the spine, called the facet joints, are covered by ligaments called facet capsules, which seem to be particularly susceptible to whiplash injury.

In addition, the muscles and tendons are strained—stretched beyond their normal limits. The discs between the vertebrae, which are essentially ligaments, can be torn, potentially causing a disc herniation. The nerve roots between the vertebrae may also be stretched and become inflamed. Even though it is very rare, vertebrae can be fractured and/or dislocated in a whiplash injury.

What to look for:

The most common symptoms of whiplash are pain and stiffness in the neck. These symptoms are generally found in the areas that are “whiplashed.” For example, during a whiplash, first the head is lifted up from the upper-cervical spine. This creates a sprain/strain in the region just below the skull, where symptoms usually occur. Symptoms may also commonly be seen in the front and back of the neck. Turning the head often makes the pain and discomfort worse.

Headache, especially at the base of the skull, is also a common symptom, seen in more than two thirds of patients. These headaches may be one-sided (unilateral) or experienced on both sides (bilateral). In addition, the pain and stiffness may extend down into the shoulders and arms, upper back, and even the upper chest.

In addition to the musculoskeletal symptoms, some patients also experience dizziness, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and even blurred vision after a whiplash injury. While these symptoms are disconcerting, in most cases, they disappear within a relatively short time. If they persist, it is very important to inform your doctor that they are not resolving. Vertigo (the sensation of the room spinning) and ringing in the ears may also be seen. In addition, some patients may feel pain in the jaw. Others will even complain of irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms also resolve quickly in most cases. In rare cases, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years.

Another important and interesting aspect of whiplash is that the signs and symptoms often do not develop until 2 to 48 hours after the injury. This scenario is relatively common but not completely understood. Some speculate that it may be due to delayed muscle soreness, a condition seen in other circumstances.

Treatment:Staying active
One of the most important aspects of whiplash management is for the patient to stay active, unless there is some serious injury that requires immobilization. Patients should not be afraid to move and be active, within reason. In addition, your doctor will often prescribe an exercise or stretching program. It is particularly important to follow this program as prescribed, so that you can achieve the best long-term benefits.

Chiropractic manipulation and physical therapyIce and/or heat are often used to help control pain and reduce the muscle spasm that results from whiplash injuries. Other physical therapy modalities, such as electrical stimulation and/or ultrasound, may provide some short-term relief. They should not, however, replace an active-care program of exercise and stretching. Spinal manipulation and/or mobilization provided by a chiropractor can also give relief in many cases of neck pain.

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Some ways to help prevent low back injuries

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Preventing back injuries is a major challenge for employers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year. Typically, back injuries account for one out of every five workplace injuries and illnesses, and one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims are a result of back injuries. The pain and discomfort of back injuries can have a dramatic change in employee productivity.

A BLS survey shows that four out of five back injuries were to the lower back, and that three out of four occurred while lifting. This survey shows the importance of reducing back injuries caused by lifting. Although no approach has completely eliminated such injuries, a substantial portion could be prevented by incorporating an effective control program along with an ergonomics analysis and design of work tasks.

OSHA has evaluated ways to help prevent lifting injuries. They specify two types of controls: engineering and administrative.

Engineering controls are used to redesign the workstation to minimize lifting hazards. Administrative controls include carefully selecting and training workers, so that they can perform their jobs safely.

Suggested administrative controls include:

Strength testing of existing workers: Studies have shown strength testing can prevent up to one-third of all work-related injuries. Through the strength-testing process, employers can discourage employees from performing tasks that exceed their strength capacities.

Physical conditioning or stretching programs: These programs are implemented to reduce the risk of muscle strain.

Training: Employees should be trained to utilize proper lifting techniques that place minimum stress on the lower back.

How to Lift Safely

Before lifting, take a moment to think about what you are about to do. Examine the object for sharp corners, slippery spots or other potential hazards. Know your limit and do not try to exceed it. Ask for help if needed. Or if possible, divide the load to make it lighter. Know where you are going to set the item down and make sure the destination and your path are free of obstructions. Then follow these steps.

	1. Stand close to the load with your feet spread shoulder width apart. One foot should be slightly in front of the other for balance.
	2. Squat down bending at the knees (not your waist). Tuck your chin while keeping your back as vertical as possible.
	3. Get a firm grasp of the object before beginning the lift.
	4. Slowly begin straightening your legs, lifting slowly. Never twist your body during this step.
	5. Once the lift is complete, keep the object as close to the body as possible. If the load's center of gravity moves away from your body, there is a dramatic increase in stress to the lumbar region of the back.

If you must turn while carrying the load, turn using your feet, not your torso.

To place the object below the level of your waist, follow the same procedures in reverse order. Remember to keep your back as vertical as possible, and bend at the knees.

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Some basic things to look in case of a head injury and some ways to prevent them.

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How to treat head injuries in children: At first glance, minor head injuries can seem worse than they really are, so don’t panic (even if it’s your first instinct). If you lose control, chances are your child will take his cue from you, think there’s something to worry about, and become hard to console. Instead, try your best to stay calm and do the following:

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• Heavy Bleeding, put a clean cloth or bandage on the wound first and apply direct pressure for several minutes. Keep in mind that cuts on the head and face bleed more than anywhere else because there are more blood vessels there, so don’t be alarmed if it looks gory! It doesn’t necessarily mean the cut is severe.
• For minor cuts and scrapes on the face, gently rinse the area with mild soap and warm water, apply an antibacterial ointment, and cover it with a bandage.
• Bumps and Lumps and your child doesn’t seem too upset, an ice pack (or a bag of frozen veggies, if that’s all you’ve got) is good for easing discomfort and reducing inflammation, as is ibuprofen (but only give your baby ibuprofen if he’s six months or older). And don’t forget the TLC!

When to call the doctor: You can treat most minor head injuries at home. But if your child has any of the following symptoms, call your pediatrician.

• There is a gaping cut on your child’s face (this will often require stitches).
• The bleeding doesn’t stop after five or ten minutes of applying pressure to the wound.
• Your child is inconsolable and won’t stop crying.
• Your child landed headfirst onto a hard surface.

What to do if you suspect your child has suffered a concussion: If your child has suffered a serious blow to his head or was knocked unconscious (even for a minute), he could have a concussion, which is a bruise to the brain. Call the doctor, who will probably recommend that you:

• Keep your child awake for the first hour or so to make sure you get a clear sense of his mental well-being before he naps or goes to sleep for the night. You want to make sure your child isn’t dizzy or confused. For a baby, this could mean he’s crying and not acting like his usual self. A toddler or preschooler could lose his balance or complain that he can’t see.
• Check on your child every couple of hours when he’s sleeping to get a look at his skin color and breathing pattern. If all appears normal, there’s no need to wake him. If he looks pale or his breathing seems irregular, rouse him gently. If he fusses and tries to go back to sleep, all is well. If you can’t wake him up, call 911.
• Keep tabs on your child for the next 24 hours. Call the doctor or 911 if your little one exhibits any of these symptoms: vomiting, imbalance, confusion, listlessness, extreme irritability, changes in eating, sleeping, or breathing patterns, complaints of a headache, slurred speech, eye irregularities (such as enlarged pupils or crossed eyes), seizure, blood or fluid discharge from the nose, or a loss of consciousness.

How to prevent head injuries in children: There’s no surefire way to keep your wobbly baby or waddling toddler from taking a dive, but there are ways to reduce the likelihood of one. They include:

• Babyproof, babyproof, babyproof! To minimize the danger zones in your house, take precautions such as putting safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and installing window guards. It’s a good idea to go through another round of childproofing before your baby takes his first steps.
• Never leave your baby or toddler alone on a high piece of furniture such as a bed, changing table, or high chair.
• Always strap your child into the stroller and high chair or onto the changing table.
• Keep “climbable” furniture away from windows so that your child can’t get to open windows (even if they have window guards).
• Don’t use a baby walker since your child may fall out of it or fall down the stairs while using it.
• Always practice playground safety. Watch your toddler when he is playing outside, and stay within arm’s reach when he’s on a high surface.
• If you have a play gym or swing set in your yard, cover the area under and around it with soft materials (like wood chips or rubber mulch) so if (or when!) your toddler tumbles, he will fall onto a softer surface.

Some pretty good reasons to stay hydrated!

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Water is the building block of life as we know it, and you should be proactive about keeping yourself hydrated even when you aren’t training or being active. The Mayo Clinic has found that an average daily water intake for a man is about three liters. But hydration isn’t the only benefit you’ll experience from drinking that much – your general health should improve as well. 

Water Helps You Maintain Normal Body Function

Research has shown that water speeds up your metabolism, cleans the body of toxins and generally helps to make everything in your body run smoothly. Considering an adult male is usually 60 percent water, this all makes sense. You need that water to digest food, circulate blood, keep your mouth from drying out and do a number of other things we often take for granted. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty – be proactive about it.

Water Can Make You Feel Better In Your Everyday Life

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Earlier this year, scientists from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands found that patients who suffered from severe headaches and migraines enjoyed an improved quality of life by drinking about seven glasses of water a day. Drink up and stay healthy!

Water Will Lessen the Urge For Empty Calories

Some studies have shown that people confuse hunger with dehydration; others find that people eat less if they are vigilant water drinkers. Water won’t keep you from eating the food you need to be healthy, but it could help you stay away from the unnecessary junk food your body craves.

Water Increases Your Energy Level

In general, dehydration leads to fatigue, which slowly eats away at your bodily functions you need to get through the day. The more water you drink, the more awake and alert you’ll feel. Also, opting for drinking water with a high pH such as Icelandic Glacial [8.4 pH] helps the body detoxify and balance out acidity levels - resulting in better prevention of disease and illness.

Water is Almost Always Your Healthiest Drink Option

A lot of popular beverage choices out there have no nutritional benefits. Soda is mostly liquefied sugar, and a lot of juices are surprisingly in the same boat. Everyone knows alcoholic beverages should only be enjoyed in moderation, and sports drinks are really only a good choice when you’re in the middle of some intense activity. In most cases, if you’re going to buy a drink, water is your best choice. 

* Extra Take-Away: Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Now that you know it's important never to forget keeping up with your water intake. What about tap water vs. bottled water? Well, not only is bottled water a bit more convenient, it might also be safer. In recent study from the Environment Science and Technology, researchers found possible risks of acute gastrointestinal illness from aging water distribution systems. Why risk cramps and discomfort when it can all be avoided with purified, bottled water?

Next time you're packing the gym bag, need a bottle for the office or grabbing something on-the-go. Look for brands such as Icelandic Glacial that are pulling water from the purest sources and distributing directly into their bottling plants. Icelandic Glacial's water supply is also free of any local industry, farming or pesticides and ensures your water never touches outside air until you open the cap. 

- See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/nutrition/what-to-drink/5-reasons-to-never-neglect-water#sthash.XiyFihMd.dpuf

Some easy fixes to your posture

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So here are 10 of the top posture mistakes, followed by 17 tips to get better posture (you're welcome, Mom).

1) Don't sit to long -- Our bodies are designed for movement, not sitting for long periods of time.

2) Hold your phone up -- Most folks tilt their head while talking on the phone or slouch the head forward while texting on a smartphone.

3) Tight front (anterior chain) of the body -- We all need to focus on opening and lengthening our front, while performing exercises and movements that strengthen our back. So treat yourself more like an athlete and less as a desk jockey.

4) Slouching while driving, flying, or taking the train -- Studies show that the vibration created by engines can oscillate at a frequency that relaxes and sedates your muscles, so your body is in a poor position and your muscles have to work extra harder to support you.

5) Wearing over-weighted backpacks or purses -- These posture killers can be particularly stressful, especially those worn always over the same shoulder.

6) Previous injuries to neck, back and or shoulders -- These old high school or college sports injuries can cause the body to adapt by shortening or forming scar tissue in the muscles and soft tissues, creating chronic stiffness and poor posture.

7) Working with arms out in front -- Constantly "reaching" for the computer uses large shoulder, chest and arm muscles that when over-used and under-stretched can begin to pull your shoulders and head forward.

8) Bending forward from your back (e.g., while brushing teeth or lifting things from floor) -- The muscles around your hips are the biggest and most powerful in your body, so always hinge (push back) from the hips when bending forward, while keeping your weight toward your heels to activate the muscles that protect the natural "S" curve of your spine from turning into a "C" curve that ruins your posture.

9) Weak feet -- If your feet are weak, they will roll inward and cause something called "serial distortion" -- which causes a global collapse of efficient support for your body. In other words, having weak feet can make you slouch!

10) Stress -- As you probably know, some stress is good for us, but if stress is an ever-present part of your life, your body can become a window to your thoughts. Stress can cause your "fight or flight" mechanisms to work overtime, creating tension in the muscles you use the most. These are the exact muscles that affect your posture and pull you into the land of the slouchers.