Secrets and Staples of training the Athletic Shoulder, About Me, Upcoming Presentations,
Archives
- March 2012
- January 2012
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- July 2008
- May 2008
Whiplash is Not Just an Awesome Song From Metallica or Mickey Rourke’s Character in Ironman 2
Don’t get me wrong, I have been an Iroman fan since I was a kid (I even collected Ironman comic books and still have them in storage)
Yes...I have this issue...
and…I have been thrashing to Metallica since the 7th grade when I bought the ride the Lightening cassette
Yes I still have this cassette in my attic
But feel free to download Whiplash if you are looking for a great example of the Southern California/English Invasion of metal in the early 80′s.

But on to the post! Acceleration/deceleration injuries are no joke and I can vouch from personal and professional experience. I have had whiplash
Dude is angry at Ironman
Ouch! Been there done that!
WebMD does a nice job summarizing whiplash even though there are a host of other resources out there to learn more about this condition and it’s treatment.
“Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is injury to the neck. Whiplash is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck. In whiplash, the intervertebral joints (located between vertebrae), discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged.
None of these are good.
What Causes Whiplash?
Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, either backward or forward, and often occurs as a result of a car accident.
What Are the Symptoms of Whiplash?
Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury.
Neck pain and stiffness
Headaches
Pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades
Low back pain
Pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand
Dizziness
Ringing in the ears or blurred vision
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue
How Is Whiplash Diagnosed?
In most cases, injuries are to soft tissues such as the disks, muscles and ligaments, and cannot be seen on standard X-rays. Specialized imaging tests, such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required to diagnose whiplash.
How Is Whiplash Treated?
No single treatment has been scientifically proven as effective for whiplash, but pain relieving medications such as Motrin or Aleve along with gentle exercises, physical therapy traction, massage, heat, ice, injections, (chiropractic manipulations-Eirc added this and this has been documented in several high level studies) and ultrasound all have been helpful for certain patients.
In the past, whiplash injuries were often treated with immobilization in a cervical collar. However, the current trend is to encourage early movement instead of immobilization. Ice may be applied for the first 24 hours, followed by gentle active movement.”
Some personal insights-take a look at this picture
Release that SCM already!
Also, I think this is the most important part of the post, is that symptoms can take days even weeks manifest, If you are in an accident (fall, mva, roller coaster etc.) go see your primary care physician or report to an emergency room asap to get radiographic evidence following a proper evaluation to protect yourself when you may want to pursue care a couple of weeks down the line and you do not want anyone accusing you of slipping and falling on ice or hurting yourself moving your buddy’s coach instead of being hurt in that original accident. Get check out and be proactive. Don;t wait till things are so tight that you can’t sleep 3 days alter or you have headaches a week alter and you can not figure out why:)***also receiving treatment early (even mobilizations) on may speed recovery***
This is a real x-ray I took of someone who fell off of monkey bars at a playground and landed on their back.
Dude needs some corrective exercise
They used a cervical collar for 3 days, ice therapy, arnica, Biofreeze, shiatsu, acupuncture, massage therapy and Chiropractic care to restore their lordotic curve to their cervical spine in 8 days, full range of motion in 10 days and complete elimination of pain in 10 days. This person is a minor and they heal at a faster rate than adults, but the care process can apply to adults as well. Corrective exercise protocols can be implemented now that pain and swelling have been eliminated.
So don’t just think of your boy Tony Stark (Ironman)
get anyone who is suffering from signs and symptoms of whiplash some care and corrective exercise.
Go help someone with this information today or add on with a comment!
Eric Beard
CEO A-Team
Corrective Exercise Specialist
AthleticShoulder.com
http://facebook.com/theericbeard
http://youtube.com/theericbeard
