Accidents happen all the time and while modern cars can often withstand quite a bit of “injury”, the human body often can not.

Your head weighs 8 to 10 pounds; if your seat belt is fastened, the force of a collision can cause your head to whip forward and back or side to side. Accidents are at times unavoidable, but there are things you can do to decrease the chance of sustaining a whiplash injury.

• Always fasten your seat belt.

• Position your head rest to “catch” your head, which means it should be right in the center of your head. Positioning it too high or too low can actually cause or worsen a whiplash injury.

• Position your seat properly. You should be sitting up straight and the seat should be as close to your head as possible to lessen the distance between your head and the seat upon impact.

• Be aware of your surroundings — which means no calling, texting, eating, putting on makeup, etc.

If you do sustain a whiplash injury, get checked out by a medical professional. Some of the symptoms of whiplash: blurred vision, dizziness, jaw, shoulder or neck pain, headaches, vertigo, memory loss, irritability, sleeplessness, fatigue.

Most pain associated with whiplash is caused by tense muscles. When the neck is forced back and forth in a jarring motion, such as the type caused by a car accident, muscles and ligaments in the area are stretched beyond their normal limits. In severe instances, the supportive muscles of the spine are torn. Muscles in the surrounding area then tighten to try and support the injured tissues. This limits range of motion and causes strain on those muscles which are not being used to bearing the extra load. This causes more pain.

Muscle pain is your chiropractor’s specialty, so get checked out. And be careful out there.

Monica S. Nowak, DC
The Chiropractic Center of Canaan
176 Ashley Falls Road
Canaan, CT 06018
860-824-0748

DEAR READER: Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that results from a breakdown of joint cartilage. Healthy cartilage allows our joints to move easily and without pain. When osteoarthritis is present, a degeneration of the cartilage that cushions bone ends occurs. Over time, some areas of cartilage may wear away completely, resulting in damage to the bone and extreme pain on movement. The ends of the bone may form spurs, and the ligaments may thicken. This common disorder affects about one in three people and, while most common in older adults, it can affect people of any age.

All of our joints are susceptible to osteoarthritis, but those most commonly affected are ones that bear weight — knees, hips, spine, feet, neck, lower back and hands. When the knees or hips are involved, pain may be experienced with motion but may disappear when at rest. When the spine is involved, stiffness and discomfort can be felt and can generate to the lower back. There may be pain generating to the head or down the arms.

I cannot determine from your brief note why you have the condition. It may be related to a sports injury when you were younger, or you may have a family history of OA. There is also a consideration of a chemical change that has occurred in your cartilage, causing it to break down faster than it can be produced. You also may be carrying more weight than is healthy for your frame, or you may be relatively inactive. As you can see, there are a number of causes for a woman at the early age of 54 to develop this condition.

You might be helped by over-the-counter or prescription NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication). There are also glucosamine/chondroitin combinations available at your local pharmacy that may help to build cartilage and improve your joint mobility. If appropriate, consider weight reduction. Above all, stay as active as possible. Keeping your joints as mobile and flexible as possible can help reduce your pain and stiffness. Consider yoga, tai chi or water aerobics. On the home front, consider rubbing castor oil on your painful joints. Some of my readers have found success by using purple grape juice and liquid pectin commonly used to make jam. Simply mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of pectin in 8 ounces of grape juice, and drink it once a day.

When all else fails and the pain becomes unbearable, speak with your physician regarding heavy-duty pain medication or surgery. Your personal physician knows your complete medical history and can help you make the determination as to whether you are well enough to consider such a step. Many hospitals also have occupational therapists, who can evaluate the situation and offer suggestions.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order payable to Newsletter and mailed to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092-0167. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.

DEAR READER: There are 33 vertebrae in the spine, seven of which are in the neck. The neck holds up your head, which, on average, weighs about 10 pounds. With poor posture, even a few centimeters of poorly distributed weight can place an enormous burden on the neck muscles. So muscles tighten up as a defense mechanism and cause pain. Other than posture, other possible causes are osteoarthritis of the neck, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica and hypothyroidism.

I recommend you see a sports therapist or request a referral to the physical-therapy department of your local hospital. You can be taught proper exercises that will strengthen the neck and, I hope, eliminate pain and stiffness.

If you have any insight or direction as to what I need to do, I would be grateful. I have tried everything except acupuncture, which I think I will do next.

By the way, I am 70 years old and in excellent health otherwise. I do take amlodipine besylate for blood pressure, vitamins C and D, calcium, red yeast rice for cholesterol-lowering properties, glucosamine, MSM and an 81-milligram aspirin. Plus, I have been on OsteoValin for a year as a substitute for Fosamax, which I took for five years. I need help.

DEAR READER: Neck pain is a common condition that can result from a number of disorders and diseases, including poor posture, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerve, whiplash from an auto accident and strain. The pain can be minor to severe and cause tingling, sensitivity, headache, dizziness, tight shoulders and a host of other unpleasant and often debilitating symptoms.

Because you are taking OsteoValin and were taking Fosamax six years ago, I assume you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis. OsteoValin is a nonprescription supplement designed to prevent further bone deterioration. One of its three key ingredients is strontium. Overuse of the supplement can result in headaches. Amlodipine besylate can also cause headaches and muscle pain.

Speak with your physician about your concerns. Perhaps you can consider a trial period of other medications and/or eliminate one or more.

Treatment of your neck pain depends on the underlying cause. You may require an X-ray, CT or MRI, which are all noninvasive procedures used to determine exactly what is occurring and what the best course of action might be. It is important to rule out whether a pinched nerve or other nerve problem is to blame.

In the interim, consider heat or cold packs, physical therapy, over-the-counter topical analgesic creams (perhaps containing capsaicin or menthol), muscle relaxants, acupuncture, massage, hydrotherapy or yoga. Your physician or local hospital’s physical-therapy department should be able to guide you.

To provide related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title or print an order form off my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com.