Whiplash Treatment Day (Muchiuchi Chiryō no Hi) — "mu (6)" plus "chiuchi o na (7) osō" reads as "let's heal whiplash"

What Is Whiplash Treatment Day?

Every year on June 7th is "Whiplash Treatment Day" in Japan. The date comes from a Japanese wordplay: "mu (6)" and "na (7)" appear in the phrase "muchiuchi o naosō," meaning "let's heal whiplash." The day was established by the Whiplash Treatment Association (むち打ち治療協会), a general incorporated association made up of clinics that specialize in whiplash. Whiplash is often thought of as something that never fully heals, but the association says most symptoms improve with proper treatment, and the day encourages people not to give up on getting treated.

The History of the Word "Whiplash"

Whiplash became widely known as an injury alongside the spread of the automobile.

• The birth of the term: In 1928, American physician Harold Crowe is said to have first used the word "whiplash" to describe how the head snaps like a whip in a rear-end collision, putting sudden strain on the neck. The Japanese term "muchiuchi" is a translation of this word.
• The formal diagnosis: "Whiplash" is a common name; the medical term in Japan is "traumatic cervical syndrome," and doctors' certificates often describe it as a "cervical sprain" or "neck contusion."

How the Neck Takes an Impact

The neck supports a heavy head while moving freely, which makes it vulnerable to strain.

• Seven bones support the head: The neck has seven cervical vertebrae supporting a head said to weigh about 10% of body weight. When the body is suddenly pushed forward in a rear-end collision, the head lags behind, bends sharply backward, and then swings forward, which can injure the neck's muscles and ligaments.
• Symptoms beyond the neck: Besides neck and shoulder pain, whiplash can come with headaches, dizziness, nausea, or numbness in the hands. Symptoms can persist even when X-rays show no bone damage, so it's important to see a doctor rather than put up with it.

Things to Know About Whiplash

• Symptoms may appear later: Even if you feel no pain right after an accident, neck pain or heaviness can show up the next day or later. It's reassuring to see a doctor early after an accident, even without symptoms.
• Not just rest: Keeping the neck immobilized for long periods used to be common, but it has become more common to start moving the neck gently, within a comfortable range and under a doctor's guidance, once the most painful phase has passed.
• Set the headrest at head height: A large gap between your head and the headrest makes it easier for your head to snap back in a rear-end collision. A common guideline is to set the center of the headrest around the top of your ears.
• Paperwork matters after a traffic accident: For whiplash caused by a traffic accident, a police report and a doctor's certificate may be needed to claim treatment costs.

Ideas for Whiplash Treatment Day

• Before getting in the car, check the headrest height for the driver's and passenger's seats.
• Make sure everyone, including rear-seat passengers, wears a seat belt properly.
• If your neck still bothers you after a past injury, consider seeing an orthopedic doctor again.
• During desk work, take breaks to slowly roll your neck and shoulders and release tension.

Don't Give Up on Neck Pain — Talk to Someone

Whiplash Treatment Day on June 7th is a reminder to face whiplash, which many people give up on as something that won't heal. If neck discomfort or numbness in your hands keeps bothering you, don't keep it to yourself — consult a specialist. It's also a good day to review everyday precautions like adjusting your headrest and wearing your seat belt.