New technique locates source of whiplash pain

Anesthetic blocks can be used to locate the source of whiplash-associated pain in about half of affected patients, according to research at the University of Newcastle in Australia.

Researchers administered a series of three blocks to the cervical spine by inserting a needle under fluoroscopic control into the suspected painful nerve. Two of the blocks were anesthetics, and one was a placebo.

The researchers made a positive diagnosis of the location of the pain when the patient felt relief about both anesthetic blocks but not after the saline injection, according to a report published in the Oct. 1 issue of Internal Medicine News.