May 15 03.qxd 12/7/2021 Volume VIII Issue III 4:02 PM Page 7 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 7 May 15, 2003 Whiplash Answers to really know, ask an expert who is a specialist in whiplash injuries. By Lewis D. Harper, DC Most people have heard the term whiplash, but few know what it really is. In fact, many organizations have stated that whiplash is only a patient induced condition that is used to get more money from insurance companies following car accidents. The following are some common questions asked regarding whiplash injuries. Is a whiplash injury a real injury? It certainly is, and it is very well documented. Over 50 years ago whiplash injuries were seen in fighter pilots who were launched from aircraft carriers by high power steam catapults. The rapid acceleration literally pulled their bodies out from underneath their heads, injuring their necks and other soft tissues. Research has shown that this same type of injury is happening today in car accidents as well as many slip and fall type accidents. What is whiplash? A whiplash type injury gets its name from the type of action that causes it. A sudden impact to the body causes a whipping like action to the head and neck creating a trauma to the spine and other support tissues. The most common mode of injury is found in auto accidents. When a car hits another car the force of the crash is transferred into the frame of the car then into the seat of the car and then into the body of the persons in the car. During the impact, the moving car creates thousands of pounds of force in the blink of an eye. The result is a violent whipping action of the neck and head, or whiplash. The actual damage is a tearing of muscles and ligaments in the neck, upper back and sometimes the low back. Although these are serious injuries the most significant injury is the damage to the nerves exiting the spine. Damage to these nerves can result in symptoms such as headaches, jaw pain, pain between shoulders, pain on top of the shoulders, numbness and tingling in the hands, weakness in the arms or hands, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision or even difficulty swallowing. I’m just a little stiff and sore. I’ll be all right, won’t I? Not necessarily. You may even be seriously injured. Some injuries happen so quickly, literally 1/10 of a second, that ligaments and muscles are torn instantly with little immediate pain. There is only one way How do I know if I have whiplash? This is a great question because there are many subtleties related to a whiplash injury. Only highly trained and qualified doctors know how to detect underlying problems commonly found with whiplash injuries. Pain and stiffness may not show up for weeks following an accident, yet the injury may have been present since the accident happened. If you have had a motor vehicle accident, even if there was no damage to your car, you may be injured. The longer you delay in getting things checked out the more serious your injury could become. Won’t the injury just heal on its own? Many insurance companies claim that whiplash injuries will heal by themselves in 6 to 12 weeks. The truth is, if you are injured, the pain and discomfort may never go away unless properly treated by a doctor who understands the complications of whiplash injuries. Who treats whiplash injuries? Doctors of Chiropractic are the leading primary care providers in treating and caring for whiplash trauma. They have the most education and training in treating these types of injuries. Medical studies have shown chiropractic care to be much more effective than traditional medical care. Doctors of Chiropractic can provide their patients with therapy modalities and specialized diagnostic test (MRI, CT Scan) as well as appropriate gentle spinal adjustments. Doctors of Chiropractic also understand the legal aspects of a liability case and can provide insurance companies and attorneys with any and all necessary documentation to substantiate your injury. Whiplash is a real injury that occurs on a daily basis in our community. Many are injured, yet they delay care with the hopes that the pain will go away. By doing so, they increase the probability that the pain they are experiencing now will become a chronic condition and will effect them for the rest of their lives. If you have been involved in an accident (auto or slip and fall), don’t delay in getting your spine checked by a highly qualified doctor of chiropractic. By doing so you will prevent long term problems that will effect you for the rest of your life. Weber-Morgan Health Department Update— Department adopts new leadership The Weber-Morgan Health Department hired a new Health Officer/Director to take over leadership of the department. Mr. Gary M. House, MPH, has been at the helm since mid-February 2003, and looks forward to new direction for the department. He moved here from Yuba City, California where he was Director for the Butte County Health Department. His roots to Utah are through his wife Anne, who is a native of Ogden. One of Mr. House’s goals is to make public health a quality of life for the residents of Weber and Morgan Counties. He states that he is delighted to be here and looks forward to meeting and working with the community. West Nile Virus Currently, West Nile Virus is all around us. As of this writing, Utah is only one of six states not reporting incidents of the virus. West Nile is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, and many types of birds and other animals. Most people who become infected suffer flu like symptoms, or perhaps no symptoms at all. Some people may become infected three to ten days after a bite from an infected mosquito. There are no known long-term effects due to a mild incident of the illness. However, on rare occasions, the virus can cause Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain or spinal cord). There may be headache, high fever, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tumors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. A small number of cases have been fatal. You can reduce your chances of becoming ill by protecting yourself from mosquito bites:     Apply insect repellent containing DEET when outdoors. When possible, wear long sleeve shirts, pants, and apply DEET. Stay indoors at dawn and dusk. Limit the number of places mosquito’s can lay eggs by eliminating standing water sources around your home. The Weber-Morgan Health Department will begin collecting dead birds around May 15, 2003 for testing. The only birds that will be collected at this time will be birds in the Corvid Family (magpie, crow, jay, raven), and Raptor birds (eagles, hawks). If you find any birds listed here, please contact the Health Department at 399-8381 or 399-8384. Remember, if you find any dead birds, do not touch the birds with bare hands. Use gloves or inverted plastic bags, and double-bag the birds, placing them in outside receptacles. If you have horses, contact your Veterinarian for details regarding vaccination. Ogden Canyon Clean-up Saturday, May 31, 2003 Meet at the Alaskan Inn at 9:00 a.m. Celeste C. Canning PLLC Attorney at Law 2456 Washington Boulevard, Suite C Ogden, Utah 84401 Local: 801 791-1092 Office: 801 612-9299 Email: ccanninglaw@aol.com Meeting the Legal Needs of Small Business and Their Owners FREE Initial Thirty Minute Consultation. Appointments in Ogden Valley upon request. DAM SPECIAL AGAIN! NEW! (JUST A REMINDER COMPLETION OF PROJECTS BEFORE CLOSURE WILL SAVE YOU MONEY) Pizza by the Slice NEW! 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