Treating Whiplash-Associated Disorders with Intramuscular Stimulation: A Retrospective Review of 43 Patients with Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract

Background: Trauma to the neck can cause acute pain. Chronic pain and dysfunction from such injury is called “whiplash-associated disorder” [WAD]. The Quebec Task Force [QTF] classified WAD severity. This case study summarizes the courses of 50 WAD patients [class 2 or 3].

Findings: Forty-three accepted intramuscular stimulation therapy. They had pain and abnormal physical signs [allodynia, trophedema, muscle knots, limited range of motion]. With treatment, twenty-nine achieved long-term improvement.

Conclusions: The symptoms were due to abnormal function of the central nervous system. Most improved subjetively and their abnormal physical signs resolved. Such direct clinical evidence of benefit is clearly meaningful.

KEYWORDS:

• Whiplash
• litigation
• intramuscular stimulation
• spine
• neuropathic pain
• radiculopathic pain