Accidents - Treatment and Symptoms
It is essential after being involved in any accident to receive or be checked by an Osteopath using Specific Adjustment Technique ( S.A.T) even if many years have passed since. This is because the human body is physically unable to disperse the strong force vectors it has been subjected to and only an accurate and opposing but gentle counter force to the relevant point on the spine will bring about a reversal and the desired subsequent healing. In an accident the perfect balance of the cervical spine as a whole will be compromised.
What happens in a whiplash for example: the upper neck, which is very vulnerable, often receives the main forces, with the weight of the head adding to the problem. The effected vertebral segment is locked three dimensionally in the planes of flexion/extension, rotation and side shift, and the cervical spine's natural banana shape will alter. In an x-ray it may appear too straight or its curve will be over exaggerated. The effected and now fixed vertebral segment will have a dynamic result causing the rest of the spine, shoulders and pelvis to accommodate the change. This will result in painful symptoms varying from mild to very uncomfortable and generally tending to worsen with age. Back, neck or shoulder pain may come and go in the compensatory areas and may be triggered by stress or a recent strain. You may also experience other indicators to an "altered" curve in the cervical spine. Your head can be carried too far forward or more often to one side, noticeable especially in photographs. Other indicators could be one shoulder lower than the other causing your clothes to slip constantly to the lower side. A kyphosis or scoliosis of the spine could occur with time, you may favour one leg more than the other making long periods of standing very uncomfortable and accompanying an imbalance of pressure on your feet. When turning to reverse in your car you may find that you have to turn your whole body or resort to using the mirrors because of a fixed feeling in the neck. Lower joint strain is also typical. The body's centre of gravity will have been totally altered veering away from our innate natural balance. In the treatment the osteopath will thoroughly examine your posture and centre of gravity. Ask you to move actively whilst standing and check you joint movement whilst lying. There will also be an assessment using the involuntary mechanism. |