Treating whiplash-associated disorders with intramuscular stimulation: A retrospective review of 43 patients with long-term follow-up

Background: Trauma to the neck can cause acute pain. Chronic pain and dysfu nction from such injury is called "whiplash-associated disorder" [WAD]. The Quebec Task Force [QTF] classified WAD severity. This case study summarize s 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, limi ted range of motion]. With treatment, twenty-nine achieved long-term improv ement. Conclusions: The symptoms were due to abnormal function of the central nerv ous system. Most improved subjectely and their abnormal physical signs reso lved. Such direct clinical evidence of benefit is clearly meaningful. (C) 2 001 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.