Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents (MVCs), but it can also occur during sports, falls, or other sudden impacts. It happens when the head is rapidly forced backward and forward, placing stress on the muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and nerves of the neck. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop gradually over several hours or days.

Key Insight:

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) can affect more than just the neck. Common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, headaches, reduced range of motion, shoulder or upper back pain, dizziness, muscle spasms, and, in some cases, numbness or tingling into the arms. Because these symptoms can overlap with other injuries, a thorough examination is important to determine the extent of the injury and identify whether additional medical evaluation or imaging is needed.

Research supports early, conservative management for many patients with uncomplicated whiplash injuries. Chiropractic care can be incorporated into this evidence-based approach by addressing joint dysfunction, restoring movement, and providing individualized rehabilitation strategies. Clinical practice guidelines recommend patient education, maintaining appropriate activity, manual therapy when indicated, and therapeutic exercise to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore normal function.

Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual's symptoms, accident history, health history, examination findings, and recovery goals.

Although many people recover well from whiplash, early assessment and appropriate treatment may help reduce pain, improve function, and decrease the risk of persistent symptoms. If you've been involved in a motor vehicle accident, even if your symptoms seem mild, an evaluation can help determine the most appropriate course of care.

Interested in learning whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for your whiplash injury? Contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and discuss your personalized recovery plan.

Contact Us:

Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home

Sources:

• Côté P, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, et al. The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine. Available through PubMed.

• Côté P, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, et al. Management of Neck Pain and Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Walton DM, Carroll LJ, Kasch H, et al. An Overview of Systematic Reviews on Prognostic Factors in Neck Pain and Whiplash-Associated Disorders. Open Orthopaedics Journal. Available through PubMed.