#386 Car Accidents and Recovery

Once upon a time, in fairy tale land, it was believed (and unfortunately, it is still believed by many in health care, especially those who make the decisions) that pre-existing damage done to your cervical spine was not a barrier to the recovery of whiplash.

 

Think about how absurd that sounds.

 

If you had had two homes, one brand new, the foundation was just poured with the latest and greatest material and technology, the second, worn by seeing its fair share of storms and nature, and hit with an earthquake...which one would do better?

 

A 5-year-old would say the new home with minimal trauma.

 

How is it that a neck with pre-existing damage and degeneration wouldn't respond the same way?

 

It can and would, according to the latest data, more than 50% of people in car accidents who have had previous cervical degeneration, don't recover from the accident.

 

The purpose of this podcast is to examine a recent article looking at whiplash injuries and pre-existing cervical degeneration to help those who are frustrated with your lack of recovery from a car accident.

 

What We Cover

• What's considered cervical degeneration and how does that affect your overall health? It's important to understand there are various 'opinions' on what constitutes degeneration and how that might or might not be affecting your health.
• The mechanism of whiplash. Knowing what to look for and what to ask could help you understand your condition.
• You're not crazy. One of the most challenging things about caring for patients who have been through car accidents is the psychological effects of people thinking you're nuts. This study says otherwise.

CLICK HERE to read the study.