FACT: Soft tissue injuries (WAD) are often permanent and severe.

Reliable medical research has proven that:

Neck sprain/strain is listed as the   predominant injury in 28% of people treated   in ER after  MVA. (Seroussi)

-50% of whiplash injuries don’t ever   recover,   i.e. are permanent. (Carroll, Sterling, Elliott)

-30% remain moderately to severely   disabled.

Source: North American Spine Society (Whiplash and  Whiplash-Associated Disorders)

www.knowyourback.org says:

-One-third of all whiplash injuries do not   recover, i.e. are permanent.

-10% end up with “constant severe pain”.

Another study reports that 42% of WAD patients become chronic. (Elliott, Characterization of Acute and Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders.)

The anatomy of soft tissue injuries.

Basic Terminology: 

-WAD-Whiplash Associated Disorder

-CAD-Cervical   Acceleration/Deceleration   Injury

-LWAD-Lumbar Whiplash Injury

“Soft tissue injuries” include the following:

1. Muscle (myofascial) injuries (strains);
2. Nerve injuries;
3. Ligamentous injuries (sprains);
4. Facet Joint Injuries;
5. Intervertebral disc injuries (herniations, protrusions, extrusions).
6. Psychological injuries.

The term “soft tissue injuries” does not include bony fractures.