Automobile accident victims that receive neck (cervical) trauma from whiplash many times have perplexing complaints. Cervical acceleration/deceleration syndrome (whiplash) is preferred by doctors since it describes the location (cervical=neck), speed, and possible complexity of symptoms.Doctors should evaluate function to determine what therapy is needed and that poor response to treatment is not psychogenic with an effort to gain financially by the patient.

Standard orthopedic and neurological procedures are performed on any patient and especially one that has been in an automobile accident. An Applied Kinesiology doctor performs manual muscle tests to evaluate the function of the nervous system. This reveals the cause,giving an understanding of the patient’s complaints.This approach usually falls outside the expertise of the usual orthopedic or neurologist. Muscle weakness or strength can often be predicted. Whiplash trauma from a motor vehicle accident can produce confusion in the nervous system. This confusion in Applied Kinesiology is termed switching. This disorganization in the nervous system is caused from different signals coming from head on neck, visual righting and labyrinthine reflexes. A certified Applied Kinesiologist can check these reflexes and make correction if needed. This disruption in these reflexes can be the cause of some types of vertigo and nausea.

Dysponesia is a term used when these three reflexes ( visual righting, labyrinthine and head on neck ) are not providing the same information to the body’s orientation in space. This can happen when one reflex is telling the body that the head is level and the other is telling that it is tilted. Disturbance of these reflexes can come from equilibrium proprioceptors located in the neck. The blow to the head or whiplash can produce cranial faults ( skull misalignments ) that affect the reflexes.

A credible Applied Kinesiology Chiropractor can examine the equilibrium proprioceptors for disorganization in the nervous system. This can be done by examining eye movement and assessing cranial nerves 3,4 and 6. There are several ways of doing this. One way is to have the patient follow the doctor’s finger in a circular motion and checking a previously strong muscle for weakening. Correct treatment to the patient’s cranium and spine will eliminate the positive test and improve binocular activity.

Disturbance in the labyrinthine and head on neck reflexes can be determined by a previously strong muscle weakening with a change in head positions. Correction of cranial faults, fixations and subluxations will restore these reflexes.

It is imperative to examine these reflexes in treating a patient involved in a car accident to restore their health. Many doctors only adjust the spine and treat soft tissue that may reduce or eliminate symptoms. This may help get the patient out of pain, but does nothing to restore their nervous system to where it was prior to accident. Positive results should be expected when truly evaluating and correcting disruption in the equilibrium proprioceptors by checking the involved reflexes.

In addition to treating the reflexes mentioned, the muscles supporting the head on the front and back need to be tested for weakness. Without successfully returning these muscles to strength, the neck can go under degeneration leading to long term pain and ill health. There is a typical muscle weakness pattern that presents with a whiplash injury. The chiropractor certified in Applied Kinesiology checks for these problems and has the tools to return the patient to optimal health.

Barry P. Swindler

Wake Forest, N.C. 27587