Medical Conditions That Can Worsen Whiplash Injuries

If you have suffered a whiplash injury from a car accident, your doctor may have recommended that you participate in an auto accident injury rehab program at an auto accident clinic. The chiropractor and therapists will help you regain your strength and range-of-motion in your neck so that you can resume your activities of daily living as soon as possible.

While rehab for a whiplash injury is typically uncomplicated and routine, preexisting medical conditions can pose challenges during your treatment sessions. Here are some medical conditions that may intensify your whiplash symptoms, which may complicate your therapy:

Multiple Sclerosis

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or MS,  can range from very mild, to debilitating. It can affect your neck and spine, and cause tightness around your chest. This symptom is known as the "MS hug," and in severe cases, may impair your breathing.

If you have multiple sclerosis, your chiropractic physician and therapists may have to modify your rehab treatment plan so that you don't get too tired or experience MS-related pain during your treatment. Profound fatigue is common in those suffering from MS, and if you get too tired during your rehab sessions, you'll need to take frequent rest periods in-between your exercises. 

Vertigo

Vertigo differs from dizziness in that it causes whirling or spinning sensations when turning your head from side to side, or when looking up or bending down. Vertigo can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and may even cause cardiac abnormalities. 

Vertigo is most common in those with inner ear problems, however, it may also be caused by neurological disorders. If you have vertigo, your neck exercises may make you disoriented or nauseous.

Your physician can prescribe anti-vertigo medications, however, they can cause sleepiness and weakness. If you have vertigo, see your doctor because you may have a bacterial inner ear infection. A course of antibiotics will clear it up, and once the infection has been resolved, the vertigo will subside soon after. Once the vertigo disappears, you will be able to proceed with your whiplash exercises without fearing that the room will start spinning. 

If you sustain a whiplash injury and have one of the above medical conditions, inform your chiropractor and therapists before the start of your rehab session. When your healthcare professionals know about your preexisting conditions, they can take additional steps during your therapy to make sure that you are comfortable and can perform your exercises easier.

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