Cervical Sprain After Traffic Accident (Whiplash)
Table of Contents
What is cervical whiplash injury
Whiplash injury refers to soft-tissue damage of the cervical spine that occurs when, mainly during a rear-end collision, the head undergoes rapid hyperextension followed by hyperflexion. Various structures — muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, discs, and nerve roots — can be injured simultaneously. A characteristic feature is that symptoms often worsen 24–72 hours after impact rather than immediately. In Korean medicine, it is diagnosed as blood stasis (瘀血) and qi stagnation (氣滯) due to traumatic injury (外傷).
Symptom course by stage
- Acute stage (0–2 weeks): Main symptoms are neck pain, stiffness, headache, and dizziness. Severe cases may be accompanied by arm numbness, blurred vision, and tinnitus.
- Subacute stage (2–8 weeks): Acute symptoms gradually subside, but neck stiffness and fatigue persist. Muscle spasm and sleep disturbance become prominent during this period.
- Recovery stage (8 weeks–6 months): Most patients recover, but about 20–40% may transition to chronic neck pain, so active treatment is necessary.
Stage-based Korean medicine treatment
Treatment strategies tailored to each stage are applied to promote recovery and prevent chronicity.
- Acute stage treatment: Acupuncture and herbal medicine that activate blood and dispel stasis (活血祛瘀) are applied. Gentle needling is performed at ashi points (阿是穴) around the cervical spine, and Bogwon-hwalhyeol-tang (復元活血湯) or Hyeolbu-chukeo-tang (血府逐瘀湯) is prescribed. In the acute stage, chuna is performed lightly, focusing on myofascial release.
- Subacute stage treatment: Joint chuna to restore cervical joint mobility is started, and pharmacopuncture is used to reduce residual inflammation. Herbal medicine is changed to formulas that relax tendons and activate the meridians (舒筋活絡).
- Recovery stage treatment: Strengthening exercises for deep cervical stabilizing muscles are guided, and maintenance treatment with weekly chuna and acupuncture is provided.
Coverage by auto insurance
After a traffic accident, Korean medicine treatment is fully covered by auto insurance (under the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Liability Act). All Korean medicine treatments — acupuncture, herbal medicine, chuna, pharmacopuncture, cupping, etc. — can be processed through insurance, and inpatient care is also possible. Because starting treatment as soon as possible after the accident leads to a better prognosis, an early visit is recommended even if symptoms appear mild.