Can Injury To Your Neck Muscles Impact Heart Rate And Blood Pressure?
As personal injury attorneys who litigate car accident cases, we have several clients who report suffering whiplash injuries as a result of their accident. While whiplash is not necessarily considered a “severe” injury (it will heal over time), it’s not as simple as a few pulled muscles, either.
Researchers have found that there is a direct link between the neck muscles and the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), a critical part of the brainstem involved in various autonomic and sensory functions, including the regulation of cardiovascular and respiratory functions. The NTS plays a significant role in the control of blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing.
Meanwhile, the neck muscles control head movement and posture. They are important for proprioception—the sense of body position. Recent research suggests that there is a direct link between the neck muscles and the NTS. This suggests that sensory input from the neck muscles can influence or be integrated into the functions of the NTS. That further indicates that injury to the neck muscles can change how the NTS operates.
Understanding the mechanism
The NTS relies on sensory information from the neck muscles to regulate various functions of the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. These are vital and integral systems that have a profound impact on every aspect of our bodily performance. A few examples include:
- Disruption of proprioceptive feedback – The neck muscles provide information concerning the head and neck position. Injury to these muscles can impair the feedback the NTS receives leading to reduced sensory input to the NTS. This, in turn, can impact the NTS’s ability to integrate sensory information. This can lead to issues with balance and coordination.
- Altered autonomic regulation – The NTS is involved in regulating autonomic functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Therefore, changes in sensory input from the neck muscles can impact your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rhythm. When proprioceptive input is impaired, the NTS struggles to adjust cardiovascular and respiratory responses to changes in head and neck position.
- Pain and stress response – Injury to your neck muscles generally results in pain. This triggers a stress response. Pain and stress can both influence your autonomic nervous system. The NTS is a key factor in processing and responding to stress signals. Chronic pain or inflammation from neck injury can result in a higher heart rate and blood pressure along with altered breathing rhythm.
How does this impact my personal injury case?
There may be complications related to your condition that you’re not aware of. Injuries to neck muscles are well-known to cause issues related to dizziness and balance, but they can also affect your heart rate and blood pressure based on the same mechanism. Such collateral damage injuries are common when it comes to car accident cases. You need an attorney who understands the full scope of your injuries from a medical perspective to ensure that you are compensated fairly.
Talk to a Jacksonville, FL Traffic Accident Attorney Today
The Jacksonville car accident attorneys at Gillette Law represent the interests of those who have been involved in serious car accidents. You are entitled to compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company, but neither will just hand over the money. You need a Jacksonville personal injury lawyer who thoroughly understands what you’re going through and can ensure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries.
