The Link Between Fibromyalgia & Whiplash
It is estimate that up to 50% of WAD (whiplash associated disorder) patients will develop chronic symptoms such as neck and upper back pain, headaches, dizziness, emotional and cognitive disturbances, referred pain and physical dysfunctions.
FM (fibromyalgia) is also characterized by long-term persistent symptoms such as widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive disturbances, fatigue and physical dysfunctions.
Both WAD and FM patients share similar chronic debilitating signs and symptoms.
But the question is … why is this the case?
In one study, researchers evaluated cognitive loss, central sensitization (a highly sensitive nerve system associated with chronic pain) and health-related quality of life in chronic WAD patients, FM patients and a control group with no known chronic conditions.
Participants in both the WAD and FM groups exhibited significant cognitive impairment, central sensitization and decreased health-related quality of life suggesting that brain injury plays a significant role in each condition.
In WAD injuries, the mechanism of injury causing cognitive loss ( the brain’s inability to process information) appears to arise from the brain slamming into the inside of the cranial vault (skull).
In a rear-end collision, the brain 1st hits the back of the skull followed by rebounding and hitting the front of the skull often times causing a concussion (brain bruise).
A 2011 study found that among 326 WAD patients with persistent neck pain lasting more than 3 months, up to 14% met the criteria for FM.
A 2015 study that looked at the health histories of 939 FM patients identified trauma as the participating factor in 27% of cases. Based on these findings, it’s clear that the whiplash process could be a significant contributing factor for developing FM.
While we typically associate whiplash with motor vehicle collisions, such injuries can also occur in sports collisions, falls and physical assaults.
It is also possible that a greater percentage of FM cases may be due to trauma the participant simply wasn’t able to recall.
It is clear that chronic WAD and FM are potentially debilitating conditions and seeking treatment after trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, is critical for mitigating the risk for chronic symptoms.
The good news is that both FM and WAD patients respond exceptionally well to chiropractic care.
Studies have reported that the inclusion of chiropractic care enhances recovery in acute and chronic WAD as well as FM patients.
If you would like to investigate this further, please call me at 905 335 LIFE (5433).
FM (fibromyalgia) is also characterized by long-term persistent symptoms such as widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive disturbances, fatigue and physical dysfunctions.
Both WAD and FM patients share similar chronic debilitating signs and symptoms.
But the question is … why is this the case?
In one study, researchers evaluated cognitive loss, central sensitization (a highly sensitive nerve system associated with chronic pain) and health-related quality of life in chronic WAD patients, FM patients and a control group with no known chronic conditions.
Participants in both the WAD and FM groups exhibited significant cognitive impairment, central sensitization and decreased health-related quality of life suggesting that brain injury plays a significant role in each condition.
In WAD injuries, the mechanism of injury causing cognitive loss ( the brain’s inability to process information) appears to arise from the brain slamming into the inside of the cranial vault (skull).
In a rear-end collision, the brain 1st hits the back of the skull followed by rebounding and hitting the front of the skull often times causing a concussion (brain bruise).
A 2011 study found that among 326 WAD patients with persistent neck pain lasting more than 3 months, up to 14% met the criteria for FM.
A 2015 study that looked at the health histories of 939 FM patients identified trauma as the participating factor in 27% of cases. Based on these findings, it’s clear that the whiplash process could be a significant contributing factor for developing FM.
While we typically associate whiplash with motor vehicle collisions, such injuries can also occur in sports collisions, falls and physical assaults.
It is also possible that a greater percentage of FM cases may be due to trauma the participant simply wasn’t able to recall.
It is clear that chronic WAD and FM are potentially debilitating conditions and seeking treatment after trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, is critical for mitigating the risk for chronic symptoms.
The good news is that both FM and WAD patients respond exceptionally well to chiropractic care.
Studies have reported that the inclusion of chiropractic care enhances recovery in acute and chronic WAD as well as FM patients.
If you would like to investigate this further, please call me at 905 335 LIFE (5433).