Fall 2019 Newsletter

WHIPLASH:
​The Negative Effects​

What is whiplash? Whiplash is a hyperflexion/extension injury in the neck that can occur from car accidents, sports injuries, and other trauma. It is caused by an abrupt backward and forward jerking motion of the head, caused by a rear-end car collision, a rough sports injury, or other physical trauma. This violent jerking motion damages the fibrocartilage discs between the vertebrae in your neck as well as associated nerves and neck muscles.

Damage to the nerves and muscle cause usually cause neck soreness, lack of neck mobility, stiffness, and headaches. Some of the pain can radiate down to your shoulders and upper back, and create a tingling and numb feeling that radiates from your neck. More severe whiplash can lead to dizziness, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, extreme fatigue, trouble concentrating, and emotional changes from the physical condition and associated financial and emotional stresses of a car accident. Improper position of your car’s headrest can create other issues with hyperflexion/extension injury, such as ramping of the vertebrae.

The symptoms can heal somewhat after a few weeks, but without NUCCA care, the muscles will heal in misaligned positions, creating biomechanical problems and wear and tear over time on the neck joints. Misalignment caused by hyperflexion/extension injury can cause a great deal of pain and irreparable damage to the ligaments, muscles, and bones if left untreated. It is crucial to receive NUCCA care whenever you experience injury from car accidents or sports collisions to allow for proper healing of the neck. Medical doctors will generally prescribe medications that will merely cover up the pain without healing the underlying damage and can leave you with long-lasting symptoms of neck pain and headaches.

Adjustments from NUCCA care will correct the misaligned vertebrae in the neck, allowing for proper healing of the soft tissue and prevent future pain.

Don’t hold out for the pain to subside and deal with the complications whiplash can cause. Even a 5-10 mile per hour car collision can cause whiplash, so don’t hesitate to consult with the doctors at the Alpha Spine Center for any help concerning past or present accidents and injuries, so we can help you heal and enjoy a life free of pain!

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COFFEE: Does it dehydrate you?

For some of you who are like me, we NEED that morning cup of joe…and perhaps three more after that. Recently, I heard someone state that for every cup of coffee, we should drink two cups of water. So, I began inquiring to know more about what my beloved morning beverage is doing to my body!

Many believe coffee dehydrates us because it is a diuretic: a substance that causes your body to produce urine. Caffeine increases blood flow through the kidneys, causing your body to release excess water, so yes, some body-fluid is be expelled at a quicker rate. But coffee itself is still a water-based solution, and it will contribute to your daily water intake.
“Drinking caffeine-containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle does not cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don’t appear to increase the risk of dehydration.” –(MayoClinic)

So for coffee and tea drinkers everywhere, continue enjoying your beverages knowing that they count toward your hydration. According to Web MD, the “coffee dehydrates you” myth is in fact that: a myth.  Basically, the rate of the diuretic effect from coffee and tea DOES NOT offset the amount of hydration you gain from it, creating a net hydrating effect.

So maybe you find yourself getting headaches or symptoms from coffee. But this isn’t an indication that the coffee itself is dehydrating you. You could just be sensitive to caffeine, or you are not drinking enough fluids in general!

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SOURCES:
​https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/whiplash/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378926
https://chiro-trust.org/whiplash/10-facts-know-whiplash-part-1/
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/whiplash-symptoms-and-associated-disorders
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/whiplash/article_em.htm#whiplash_facts
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/pain-management-whiplash
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/healthy-beverages#1
https://time.com/5192272/coffee-tea-dehydrating/