What Is Whiplash Syndrome?

Find What Is Whiplash Syndrome at Amazon

Whiplash or Whiplash Syndrome is a term employed to describe an event in which the cervical spine (your neck) has undergone a rapid acceleration/deceleration which causes harm to the respective tissues of the cervical spine. As in a car accident, the forces involved many times include an abrupt stop or modify in direction. Our head has no aid above it and accordingly acts as a weighted pendulum, permitting for ranges of motion in our neck to exceed their normal limit.

Unfortunately, the term “whiplash” does not describe the degree or severity of the injuries sustained which may include anything from a minor strain to even death. For this reason, emergency room follow up after involvement in a car accident is the initial step to rule out potentially life threatening injuries. Even at low affect speeds, there is a potential for severe injury or death and may even be accompanied by no sensations or changes at all.

Various structures in our neck (cervical spine) have the potential for injury in this type of accident. Strained muscles and sprained joints and ligaments are very mutual injuries in motor vehicle accidents. Injury to the spinal cord and/or nerve root(s) are likewise mutual features in a whiplash syndrome.

Common sensations or changes of whiplash may include:

neck pain,
neck stiffness,
neck tightness,
loss of range of motion,
neck to upper shoulder soreness.

Common accompanying sensations or changes of whiplash may include:

arm pain,
numbness and/or tingling into the arm/hand/finger(s),
headache,
dizziness,
fatigue.

Common signs of whiplash include:

tenderness along the muscles of the cervical spine,
muscle spasm (your body’s natural defense response to aid “guard” the injury),
loss of range of motion,
forward head posture,
elevated shoulder positioning (of one or both shoulders),
head tilted or rotated.

Once the peril of life threatening injury is ruled out for whiplash, the next step is to rule out fracture, instability and/or neurologic involvement (injury to nerves, nerve roots, discs, spinal cord). Along with orthopedic and neurologic tests, chiropractors often use x-ray, CT scan or MRI to rule out these possibilities.

What Is Whiplash Syndrome

If you are amid the 60 million people in the United States affected by TMJ disorder, then you may recognise what it’s like to have your problem be misdiagnosed or go untreated. Perhaps you’ve undergone unnecessary and highpriced treatments to no avail. Dr. Uppgaard’s Total Wellness Program will help you comprehend this painful condition, relieve it is symptoms, prevent it is recurrence, and refrain from unnecessary surgery. This comprehensive guide also explores the connection TMJ disorder has to fibromyalgia and whiplash.

Amazon Sales Rank: #35825 in Books
Published on: 1999-01-01
Original language: English
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .45″ h x 5.98″ w x 9.04″ l, .62 pounds
Binding: Paperback
200 pages

Review

“Dr. Uppgaard’s years of experience in treating persons who requires medical care with TMJ disorders….has enabled him to write a book of hope for those suffering from these disease entities. His description of simple, conservative, cost-effective approaches to relieving pain, getting well, and staying well are to be admired…This book is a ‘must read.’”
—Harold Gelb, D.M.D., P.C., Diplomat of the American Board of Orofacial Pain

126 of 129 people found the following review helpful.
TMJ and Vision
By A
I came upon this book in a very roundabout way —- during the process of improving my vision by natural means of all things. What could eyesight and the TMJ possibly have in common? In my case, a great deal I was to discover. When I first started improving my vision naturally, I thought it was only about the eyes and did not appreciate the whole health aspect. I was in for many surprises and some confusion when I eventually began having referred pain and sensations in areas seemingly unconnected to the eyes. It didn’t initially dawn on me that there was any relationship between these symptoms and my improving eyesight. Then I began to wonder, could there be a connection? I studied several books on natural vision improvement (Relearning to See — RTS for short – and Better Eyesight are highly recommended) which made reference to blurred vision causing tight muscles and problems in many other areas of the body. Muscle groups affected can include such areas as the neck, shoulders, jaw, ears, cheeks and forehead. It soon became abundantly obvious that the symptoms I had been experiencing fit the reversal pattern of holistic healing. Suggestions were made in the RTS book to try some holistic healing treatments in conjunction with relearning the proper vision habits. One of several mentioned was TMJ treatment, yet the term had no significance to me at the time. Because of my neck and shoulder stiffness and pains, I opted for massage therapy sessions and obtained significant tension releases which the therapist also noticed. It turned out that the type of massage was myofascial release. I was intrigued to learn more on the Internet when I got home. The many website results that came up in my search about myofascial release were in relation to TMJ disorders. There was that term again. Bingo! It was like a piece of a puzzle falling into place. I chose to buy Dr. Uppgaard’s book to find out more. I was amazed to read so many parallels and similar topics in Dr. Uppgaard’s book and the RTS book. Both authors discuss such subjects as the impact of mental stress, neck and shoulder problems, the ears and hearing, dizziness, proper breathing, referred pain, the importance of good posture and the benefits of holistic healing treatments. But what really jumped off the pages in Dr. Uppgaard’s book were references to certain neck muscles that, if tense, could cause “visual disturbances and blurring of vision”. The RTS book states that “the neck is tight for all people who have blurred vision.” The sternocleidomastoid muscle described on page 50 of Dr. Uppgaard’s book has had such a strong connection with my improving vision. I’ve gotten to the stage where I can massage areas in this muscle to release tension (trigger points as discussed in his book) and cause spasm-like sensations in and around my eyes, ears, jaw and cheeks. Looking back many years ago, I believe now that my dentist had at one time suspected a TMJ disorder. I recall him checking the TMJ on both sides and asking some questions. Based on my responses, I guess I didn’t fit into the slot of standard symptoms for which he was trained to assess, because nothing further was suggested. Yet when I got Dr. Uppgaard’s book, I checked off so many symptoms, presumably lesser known to many and unknown to most. What started as a goal of keener eyesight has ultimately led to improved overall health. I applaud Dr. Uppgaard for going “outside the box” of conventional medical views. His book has been a very educational and helpful resource along my journey of natural vision improvement and total wellness.

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful.
Thank you for writing this Book!
By K. Pemberton
I was diagnosed with TMJ many years ago. For the past year I have been battling with numb fingers. After many tests, much time, and a lot of money – an accidental visit to my dentist helped to show TMJ was affecting my fingers. I had never heard of that happening. This book not only lists every possible symptom, but exercises that are extremely helpful.

After reading the book for about 15 minutes, I tried the first exercise. My jaw felt immediate relief. I am very grateful for this book. It will certainly help in relieving pain and discomfort.

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful.
If you have TMJ, you simply must read this book
By flotsette
The other reviewers have said it very well. The exercises provided me immediate relief (Search Inside the book for “exercise,” and you can do them while you’re waiting for shipment!)

I really like the approach he takes – conservative, and taking all causes into consideration (dental, joint, and muscular.) He rightly points out that dentists, surgeons and doctors all tend to see it through their own filter, and he takes a broader view so you can consider them all.

I cannot stress enough though how the elimination of coffee has helped me. This is extremely difficult, and I can’t always stay away — but every time I drink some, I end up with pain and tension.

I also recommend the “Stop TMJ and Teeth Grinding” CD by Scott Sulak. I woke up in significantly less pain after the first use.

See all 47 customer reviews…