Whiplash is one of the most likely results to occur from a road traffic accident. According to one report, there are around 2 million incidents of whiplash each year in the states alone. Although car accidents aren’t the only cause of whiplash, they are the most likely.
Whiplash injuries aren’t confined to any particular demographic. Any age group and any gender can suffer these types of injuries. Although, there is evidence that some people may be more at risk than others.
It might not be surprising that younger drivers are more likely to get into road traffic accidents that involve whiplash, but there is evidence pointing to something else happening.
Is it feasible that women are more probable to suffer whiplash in a car accident than men?
How does whiplash occur?
Whiplash occurs when a sudden force makes a person’s head violently jolt forwards and backward. There are quite a few causes for this, but by far and away car accidents are the major culprit.
This normally occurs when a car is rear-ended by another vehicle with enough force to cause the occupants of the first car to be subjected to the kind of force mentioned above.
If someone has symptoms of a sore neck after a car accident they may have whiplash, and treatment by a chiropractor may be needed. Other causes of whiplash range from the mundane - fairground rides - to the less usual - boxing. Sports can be a cause of whiplash, with gridiron being a common one.
Is it possible women will likely suffer whiplash?
It is said that between 20 to 50 million injuries from car accidents are reported each year in the US. Between five and ten percent of these injuries could be from whiplash, if some figures are to be believed.
Of course, many injuries from car accidents will be minor, while some will be life-changing. The severity of whiplash can vary, and so can the time to recover. One group that appears to be suffering from whiplash more than others is women.
It would appear from insurance claim reports and other data that women are somewhere between twice and three times as likely as men to suffer from whiplash. This only alludes to road traffic accidents and doesn’t take into account sports whiplash injuries or other causes.
Various studies across Europe have shown that this is not an anomaly, and statistically speaking, females are most at risk of sustaining a whiplash injury, but why?
Why are females more susceptible to whiplash injuries?
The data that women were more likely to get whiplash in a car accident has been floating around for some time. What has been far less clear, is why this should be.
The general consensus would appear to be that it could be down to the physical differences between men and women, especially in the neck region. Men’s necks may only be around 15% larger in circumference than a woman’s but this equates to something like 30% stronger when it comes to flexion. That is the forward bending movement in the neck, spine, and hips.
Thus it would appear that men’s natural physicality has enabled them to avoid more whiplash injuries.
Posture and seat position may come into play too. It has been suggested after one particular study that men and women position their seats differently. Women are more likely to put the car seat vertically, and to sit closer to the steering wheel. This may have some impact on the consequences of being hit from behind by another car.
Are whiplash incidents on the rise?
One Swedish study shows the average incidence of whiplash injuries across different age groups. This showed that 15 to 45-year-olds are most likely to suffer whiplash in a road traffic accident.
This may be simply that this age group is more likely to be on the road than older or younger age groups. It should be pointed out that the lower age was in a group from 15 to 19 so would include new drivers. The 20-24 year bracket were most likely to suffer whiplash injuries.
However, whiplash injuries across all age groups went on a noticeable rise during the last two decades of the twentieth century. In the 1980s and 1990s, whiplash became one of the most prevalent injuries in the UK. In 1982, just 7.7% of all emergency injuries were caused by whiplash, by 1995 that had become 57%.
The reason that the UK and other parts of the western world started to see high rises in whiplash injuries was due to the potential insurance payouts. Whiplash is hard to detect, and doesn’t show up on X-rays, therefore the potential for abusing the system is high.
This has seen a continued rise in some countries for whiplash claims. However, the UK brought in reform to curb false whiplash claims and is now seeing a decline in patients seeking unnecessary treatment.
What are the long-term effects of whiplash?
Normally after suffering from a whiplash injury, the victim can expect neck pain and other symptoms. The worst symptoms of pain after the initial injury can point to a year-long disability. These findings were published by WebMD from a Danish study.
It is these longer-term concerns that can be worrying for whiplash patients. Possible effects from whiplash over a year, two, or even a lifetime can be as follows:
- Tinnitus
- Pins and needles or numbness
- Chronic neck pain
- Headaches
- Lower and upper back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Dizziness
- Sleeping difficulties
- Weakness in any limb
- Jaw pain
Anyone with neck pain after a car accident must get medical assistance immediately.
What is the normal course of treatment for whiplash?
Traditionally, neck braces have been used as part of the treatment for whiplash. Now though, this advice is being contradicted by many experts and chiropractors.
It would appear that keeping the neck immobile would help with recovery, but this may not be true for each patient, or any at all. Soft collars provide support and relieve pain, but they may also be prolonging the symptoms, and adding to long-term problems.
You may be wondering how long does it take to recover from whiplash? And the answer isn’t straightforward at all. What is important is to treat the whiplash symptoms as quickly as possible, and to keep up the treatment in the hope of a faster recovery.
Heat and cold can be used to help with recovery. Pain relief can come in the form of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, or prescription painkillers. Muscle relaxants and lidocaine can also be administered, and rest is important.
Chiropractors can also help as whiplash is a soft tissue injury. This is something that chiropractors specialize in, and they can reduce tension and improve muscle function.
Summary
Whiplash is an injury that can occur in many ways, but most likely through car accidents. Although it can affect anyone, it does seem that the data points to females being more at risk.
While the likely cause is natural genetics, there may be some evidence that seating positions in cars could have some impact. Fortunately, treatment is available, and chiropractors are skilled at restoring natural muscle function, thus hopefully reducing the chances of long-term problems.
