Arthritis after whiplash

by Ross

Arthritis after whiplash

History:*victim of rear-end auto accident 2008.I settled w/ ins. w/o treatment
because I thought I was ok. I didnt know what I was doing.

I've progressively suffered varying degrees of pain and stiffness since in
neck/shoulders.

*I was rear-ended again Dec 2012.
Neck/shoulders,arms, wrists were sore next day.
* It was 1-2 wks before I could see my doctor,secretary put me off.
I complained of stiffness and pain. Prescribed muscle relaxers.Was
told I was stick straight.

*Later I was told I had a touch of arthritis and
was suggested to go to physical therapy for accident.

*March: I began physical therapy. It is week four and finally a bit of
relief. But I still have some remaining stiffness and pain.

*How do I tell the difference between a touch of arthritis and problems related to the whiplash?I am asked to rate the pain. How do I know what answer is? I don't want to short change myself in treatment, because I unintentionally did that before.I want to get well and have the ability to be treated for this problem or for potential future problems.

*I believe the arthritis came about through either the previous auto accident.?

*Or can it come about after the second one that soon?





Hello Ross,
I'm afraid whiplash almost always leaves its mark. That's not just my opinion after 30+ years in practice. It's well researched. Whiplash Research ...

There are many reasons why this is so, and the symptoms can be very different, depending on what tissue is involved. It could be brainstem injury, spinal cord, or muscles and ligaments, bones and joints... symptoms vary incredibly for one reason or another.

Whiplash Chiropractic

You ask about arthritis after whiplash. That too is complex but research is now unequivocal - loss of range of motion in any joint, say the neck joints, leads on to what is now being called Immobilisation Arthritis it has to do with loss of normal joint nutrition.

What varies enormously is how quickly that arthritis sets in. There are many other factors, smoking, general diet, how fit you are, mental attitudes... but probably at least a few years. I doubt the recent injury.

What is extremely difficult to prove is that it's not from some previous injury. Most of us have taken a tumble or two, down stairs, in the swimming pool, old sports injuries...

Accept that two whiplashes in two years will certainly leave their mark. Compensation isn't the point, it's future health. That means eating a diet rich in foods that support joint cartilage and nerves. Foods like fatty fish, freshly ground flaxseed, walnuts. Flax seed nutrition information ...


And then restoring the normal movement to your neck. Of course, I'm rather partisan! but I'm glad that a PT is bringing you some relief.

And drive carefully, defensively, more slowly now. Whilst you can't undo others' stupidity, make sure you aren't the cause of another whiplash. A third accident could well tip the scales against you.

Go from Arthritis after whiplash to other Chiropractic Conditions often treated…

I hope this has contributed. If so, this is my latest book of chiropractic anecdotes, available on Amazon for $2.99! Shameless! Stones in my Clog … Chiropractic anecdotes from the polders of Holland.

Dr. Barrie Lewis



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Apr 17, 2013
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starstarstarstar 		Stiff neck exercises for neck pain.
by: Ross

Stiff neck exercises for neck pain

If I had whiplash before(in 2008),
Developed arthritis..
And have another whiplash after another accident in Dec.2012...

While I'm seeking to get well, what results can I possibly expect, to determine if I need more help with the whiplash or if lingering pain is from arthritis?

See,the other person's insurance is going to pay for my therapy.

If more therapy (or chiro.or shots) is suggested, do I just go with it and let their insurance pay for it or what?

Where is the determining factor for me to know that the whiplash is treated and what I am dealing with this pain from arthritis? How can I know the difference to be honest in this matter and get the help I need?

I hope this makes sense.





Like I said, Ross, the arthritis and the whiplash are one and the same condition. Don't try to distinguish them. One leads directly to the other. Remembering that old forgotten trauma may be part of the equation.

Obviously I've had no chance to examine you, so I'm speaking in general terms.

Because you are not going to be "cured", these accidents will leave a mark on you, I'd go for an open ended treatment protocol, something the insurance won't like.

Secondly, I'd avoid an intensive treatment programme. There's a whole industry out there hoping to make a meal out of your problem, and they may try to convince you that you absolutely MUST have three treatments a week for months. My personal opinion, please note MY opinion, is too much manipulation isn't good either.

MY approach would be to have 6-10 treatments over the next month, depending on the clinical findings, and then an OCCASIONAL, but REGULAR treatment.

What does that mean in practice? It really depends on your situation. A treatment every 4-10 weeks depending on progress and your particular presentation.

Try and have a sports massage every... perhaps 4 weeks as part of the programme.

And make sure you get an exercise regimen, carefully explained and properly demonstrated and checked by a suitably qualified biokinesiologist, or like. Remembering that you are not seeking to be a member of the next all America Winter olympics team! Just some gentle exercises, but correctly done. Regularly.

Some of these stiff neck exercises for neck pain may be suitable. I'd avoid sit-up type exercises, and pull downs.

Good luck, you're entering a mine field, so your questions are certainly pertinent, but difficult to answer specifically.

Dr. Barrie Lewis
Apr 16, 2013
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starstarstar 		additional info/question...
by: Ross

You've provided good information. How does a professional determine if the discomfort that I'm experiencing, isn't coming from the touch of arthritis after they have been treating the whiplash for weeks?

I want to make sure that I get the right help and also am not trying to be dishonest in any way, so how can I know if the discomfort is from the arthritis or whiplash?





The arthritis, assuming it's osteoarthritis which it almost certainly is, and the old whiplash are one and the same condition. The fixated joints from the whiplash lead directly to the immobilisation arthritis and head neck pain ...

However, it's also a good idea to treat the osteoarthritis from a nutritional perspective. Heaps of evidence that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil and
walnuts blood pressure …, also beneficial for hypertension, flaxseed.

Lastly make sure you get some exercises. Movement is what is paramount in the treatment of your condition. Good luck.

Dr. Barrie Lewis

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Interesting challenges of the day

1. Mr S is a 76 year old man with neck pain of some 9 months duration. Luckily, most of the discomfort is upper cervical which is only rarely arthritic; his lower cervical spine is a degenerative mess that I've left alone. After seven treatments his pain and stiffness is 50 percent better, and he's happy in the circumstances. He can sleep through the night now and that makes a huge difference.

2. Mr P is 32 year old man with very severe lower back pain radiating to the big toe which is 30 percent numb. He had an episode three weeks ago, took anti inflammatories and was soon better as is typical of the medial disc herniation. But before it healed, after a trivia it came roaring back, much worse. The characteristic crossed sign was evident; sitting in a chair, straightening the right leg provoked severe left back pain and tingling in the leg. He's doing well.

3. Severe lower back pain is scary; just ask Mrs P. Just watching her get out of the car I she was in trouble; she had a slipped disc at L4 making her lean towards the opposite side; luckily she had no pain in the leg. Despite family pressure that this was far too severe for a chiropractor, she persevered. Within five days she was standing upright, and after two weeks almost painfree. 

Despite a hectic job, she wisely took my advice and stayed home for what I call exercising bed rest.

4. Mr S has had lower back, groin and back of thigh and calf pain for fourth months.

He has a pincer deformity in the hip causing the stabs in the groin, and a degenerative facet causing the sciatica. Both are responding well to chiropractic and he's well pleased; sixty five percent better after three treatments.

5. Mr T is a wise man; he's taken a warning TIA seriously and has lost 15 pounds, and has at least as much again to lose. A change to a low starch diet and half hour daily walk has made the difference; but the walking is making his foot and back miserable. The expensive orthotic is hopeless; luckily his hips and back are fine, but he needs a simple heel lift.

6. I too have had serious lower back issues, luckily fixed by my own chiropractor; so I too have to do my exercises, take care when lifting supers full of honey, gardening and using the chainsaw. Regaining the function of your spine is just as important as the pain.

7. My own granddaughter, only 7 is hypermobile giving her pelvic, knee and ankle issues. Xrays show a mildly dysplastic hip. Years ago we would have called it growing pains. She too regularly needs chiropractic care and luckily responds well. Increased range of motion is more difficult than too stiff in my opinion. Our care is for kids too.

8. This 65 year old lady is a serious gardener; every day she is bending, lifting and digging for 2 to 3 hours a day. It regularly catches her in the sacroiliac joint, so she has a treatment once a month that sorts it out. She does her lower back exercises faithfully.

9. This 88 year old lady is an inspiration; every day she is busy in the community. With a nasty scoliosis she manages very well with a chiropractic adjustment every six weeks and exercises faithfully done.  

10. Mr X is a 71 year old retired man who wants to continue with maintenance care every six to eight weeks; he had suffered from two years of lower back pain when he first came a year ago. He has no discomfort now after 8 chiropractic treatments, but is aware that danger lurks.

11. Mrs C has been having severe headaches, and taking a lot of analgesics. It's a non complicated upper cervical facet syndrome, and she's doing well.

12. Mr D is a 38 old year man with chronic shoulder pain after a rotator cuff tear playing cricket. It responded well to treatment, but he knows he must do his exercises every day; for two years he couldn't sleep on that shoulder.

13. Mr D, a 71 year old man, has a severe ache in the shoulder and midback since working above his head. Trapped nerve tests are negative but he has advanced degenerative joints of Luschka; after just two treatments he is 50 percent better. Can we reach 90?

And so the day goes; chiropractors shouldn't be treating the elderly most medical sites state but that's so much bunkum.

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