The Association Between A Lifetime Of Neck Injury Regarding A Motor Vehicle Collision and Future Neck Pain: A Population-based Cohort Study 

A Cohort study was done to investigate the association between a lifetime history of neck injury from a motor vehicle collision and the development of troublesome neck pain in the future. 

What current evidence suggests is that individuals with a history of neck injury after a traffic collision are more likely to experience future neck pain. However, these results may suffer from residual confounding. Therefore, there is a need to test this association in a large population-based cohort with adequate control of known confounders. 

A cohort study of 919 randomly sampled Saskatchewan adults with no or mild neck pain in September 1995. At baseline, participants were asked if they ever injured their neck in a motor vehicle collision. Six and twelve months later, they were asked about the presence of troublesome neck pain (grade II–IV) on the chronic pain grade questionnaire. 

Multivariable Cox regression was used to estimate the association between a lifetime history of neck injury in a motor vehicle collision and the onset of troublesome neck pain while controlling for known confounders. The follow-up rate was 73.5% (676/919) at 6 months and 63.1% (580/919) at 1 year. 

It was found that a positive association between a history of neck injury in a motor vehicle collision and the onset of troublesome neck pain after controlling for bodily pain and body mass index (adjusted HRR = 2.14; 95% CI 1.12–4.10). 

This analysis suggests that a history of neck injury in a motor vehicle collision is a risk factor for developing future troublesome neck pain. The consequences of a neck injury in a motor vehicle collision can have long lasting effects and predispose individuals to experience recurrent episodes of neck pain. 

Dr Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF has some thoughts and advice after reading this article:

It is very important to get treated immediately after a car accident.  Most people rest afterward which is not the best way to go about it.  Soft tissue takes from 8-12 weeks to be rehabilitated and if rested after an injury, the tissue will become more taut and make it harder to move resulting in longer rehabilitation and more injuries.  If it is contradicted to adjust your neck or back after an accident, we can still work on the soft tissue and keep proper movement in your body preventing injuries and get you well quicker! 

Our chiropractic offices in San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA can help with whiplash, shoulder pain, low back pain, post-concussions and any other injury sustained after a car accident.  Contact our office today to make sure you get the care you need after a collision.  

Sources:
European Spine Journal 2010 (Jun);   19 (6):   972–981Paul S. Nolet, Pierre Côté, J. David Cassidy and Linda J. Carroll Centre of Research Expertise in Improved Disability Outcomes (CREIDO), University Health Network Rehabilitation Solutions, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Canada Paul S. Nolet, 86 Dawson Road, Unit 3, Guelph, ON N1H 1A8, Canada