Whiplash & Neck Pain
When it comes to neck pain one of the common causes is whiplash injuries. A whiplash injury can lead to a a range of issues including, neck pain, jaw pain, dizziness, brain fog and more.
One of the main ways that a whiplash injury contributes to the above issues is due to the disruption of a normal working cervical-ocular reflex.
The cervical ocular-reflex helps to maintain our balance and visual stability. In this blog post we’re going to explore the relationship between whiplash injuries, changes in the cervical ocular-reflex, and neck pain.
So what is a whiplash injury?
Whiplash is a type of injury that occurs when the head is forcefully jolted back and forth or side to side, such as in a car accident, a collision during a sporting event, a fall or other trauma. This sudden movement can damage the soft tissues in the neck, including the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. As we mentioned above whiplash can lead to a range of symptoms, including neck pain, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision.
So what is this Cervical-Ocular Reflex and why is it important?
The Cervical-Ocular Reflex or COR, is a reflex that that helps to stabilize our vision during head movements. This reflex works by adjusting the eyes in the opposite direction of head movement, which helps to maintain our visual stability. Essentially our eyes and neck have to be able to communicate with each other properly in order to coordinate this reflex without us experiencing pain or discomfort or dizziness during movement.
What happens to this reflex during a whiplash injury?
During a whiplash injury the facet joints, the muscles, the tendons, and the ligaments can all be injured. Injuries to these tissues can then lead to faulty information coming from the neck that contributes to the cervical-ocular reflex.
Research has shown that changes in the COR are common in people who have experienced whiplash injuries. Suggesting that whiplash injuries can lead to a disruption in the signals that are sent between the neck and the brain, which can affect the COR and contribute to symptoms such as neck pain.
The Relationship Between Cervical-Ocular Reflex and Neck Pain
The relationship between changes in the COR and neck pain is complex, and is not yet fully understood. However, there is evidence to suggest that changes in the COR may contribute to the development or persistence of neck pain after a whiplash injury. For example, one study found that people with persistent neck pain after a whiplash injury had a greater impairment in their COR than those who had recovered from their injuries. This suggests that changes in the COR may be a factor in the development of chronic neck pain.
Another way that changes in the COR may contribute to neck pain is by affecting the function of the muscles in the neck. The COR works in conjunction with the muscles in the neck to help stabilize the head and maintain visual stability. If the COR is disrupted, this can affect the way that the muscles in the neck function, which can contribute to neck pain and other symptoms.
In one study a group of researchers found that when the neck is unable to move freely from one side to the other or there is uneven ability of the muscles of the neck to look left and right with the combination of neck tension there is an increase in the response of the vestibular system that exist with asymmetric functioning of the cervical-ocular reflex. Clinically this can result in patients developing blurred vision spells, painful neck stiffness and headaches.
Treatment for Whiplash-Related Neck Pain
When it comes to treating a whiplash related injury it requires a comprehensive look at the systems that are controlling balance and the function of the related muscles. As you’ve learned above there are many different pathways that keep us stable, out of pain, and upright.
By looking at the systems that maintain our balance after a whiplash injury we are able to draw a clearer picture of what is contributing to the neck pain or other issues. While it is thought that the majority of people with whiplash injuries and neck pain will have a disturbance with the cervico-ocular reflex that isn’t always the case. That’s why it’s crucial for us not overly focus on one area but to look at all the components that can play a role and paint a clear picture of what is going on.
By looking at all the components that can be involved we are able to cater our care to our patients specific needs. We utilize proprioceptive rehabilitation, QSM3 Chiropractic, and a lot more to help our patients, heal, feel, and move better. If you or someone you know has suffered a whiplash injury and has pain, or has had neck pain, and can’t find relief click below to schedule your complimentary consultation.