What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a common neck injury that happens when your head is abruptly snapped forward and backward, straining the soft tissues, muscles, and ligaments in your neck. This often occurs during rear-end car accidents but can also result from sports collisions, falls, or any sudden impact where your neck experiences a forceful "whipping" motion.
Common Causes and Symptoms
While car accidents are the most typical cause, whiplash can also result from slips and falls, amusement park rides, and contact sports like football or hockey. The sudden movement overstretches and sometimes tears the muscles and tendons of the neck and upper back. Symptoms may include neck pain and stiffness, headaches (often starting at the base of the skull), reduced range of motion, dizziness, fatigue, tenderness in the shoulders or upper back, tingling or numbness in the arms, and even difficulty concentrating. Importantly, these symptoms might not be obvious right away—they can appear hours or even days after the initial injury.
The Importance of Early Assessment
You might be tempted to “wait it out,” but delaying care for whiplash can lead to chronic pain, lasting neck stiffness, and recurring headaches. Early assessment and intervention are crucial. A chiropractic evaluation after an accident or sudden jolt can catch underlying issues—even if your symptoms feel mild or delayed.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Whiplash Recovery
Chiropractic care is uniquely suited to address the underlying causes of whiplash pain and restore healthy movement in your neck and spine. Your chiropractor will begin with a thorough assessment, checking alignment, range of motion, and areas of tenderness. Through gentle spinal adjustments, your provider can rebalance misaligned vertebrae, reduce nerve irritation, and ease muscle tension that’s developed as a protective response to injury.
In addition to adjustments, chiropractors use soft tissue techniques such as targeted manual therapy or gentle massage to release muscle knots and improve blood flow, both of which speed the healing process. Education is a big part of what we do: your chiropractor will guide you on safe movement, posture improvements, and home care strategies such as alternating ice and heat, ergonomic tips for work or rest, and simple at-home stretches to help keep your neck mobile as you heal. Most importantly, you’ll have someone tracking your progress at each visit, so your care plan is always tailored to how you’re feeling.
Why Choose BC + PT for Chiropractic Care?
At Buffalo Chiropractic + Physical Therapy, our team believes in continuity—so you’ll see the same chiropractor every visit, allowing them to understand your story, your progress, and your needs. Our chiropractors take a whole-person approach, ensuring you feel supported from your first appointment to your return to pain-free living. We listen, answer your questions, and make sure each visit moves you closer to recovery.
Don’t Wait, Start Healing
If you recently experienced an accident, fall, or other sudden neck injury and are noticing pain, headaches, or stiffness, don’t wait. Early chiropractic care often means shorter recovery times and better long-term outcomes. Reach out to BC + PT today and let’s start your path to pain-free movement—because you deserve to feel your best.
References
- Mayo Clinic. “Whiplash.” Mayo Clinic
- Cleveland Clinic. “Whiplash Injury.” Cleveland Clinic
- American Chiropractic Association. “Chiropractic Care After Whiplash.” ACA