Neck Pain and Whiplash After a Car Accident

Quick answer: Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck, also called a neck sprain or strain, and car accidents are a common cause of neck pain. If you were in a crash in Decatur and your neck hurts, the first question is whether it is an emergency. An injury to the neck or spine with loss of feeling or inability to move means call 911. Otherwise, a qualified health care professional can evaluate you, because treatment depends on the cause.

What is whiplash?

MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine’s health site, says any part of your neck can cause neck problems: muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments or nerves. It describes whiplash as a soft tissue injury to the neck, and says it is also called a neck sprain or strain.

Neck pain itself is very common. Muscle strain or tension often causes it, usually from overuse such as sitting at a computer for too long. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head or upper arms, which is one reason a sore neck after a crash deserves a proper look.

How does a crash hurt your neck?

Sudden acceleration, deceleration or changes in direction during a collision can strain structures in the neck. You may notice stiffness, discomfort when turning your head or restricted movement.

Two things to keep in mind. Vehicle damage does not always tell you whether you were hurt or how badly, so a small dent does not settle the question. And some symptoms appear immediately, while others may develop hours or days after the accident.

When is neck pain an emergency?

Here is how MedlinePlus sorts it, along with the warning this office gives its own patients:

What you notice	What to do
Injury to the neck or spine, particularly with loss of feeling or inability to move	Call 911
Head that is in an unusual position, or paralysis of the arms or legs	Call 911, and do not move the person unless there is urgent danger
Head injury with passing out, fainting or confusion	Call 911
Dizziness or weakness that does not go away, or severe pain anywhere on the body	Go to an emergency department or call 911
High fever with headache and stiff neck	Go to an emergency department or call 911
Severe pain, significant trauma, progressive weakness or new bowel or bladder dysfunction	Get urgent medical evaluation
Stiffness or soreness with none of the above	Get evaluated by a qualified health care professional

Those rows come from the MedlinePlus pages on when to use the emergency room and spinal injury, plus this office’s own guidance. If you are unsure which row you are in, treat it as the more serious one. For more on the warning signs, read numbness, weakness or trouble walking after a wreck. A headache that comes with neck pain has its own article, because concussion symptoms can include both.

How is whiplash treated?

MedlinePlus says treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.

That list is broader than chiropractic, and it should be. Chiropractic care may be appropriate for certain injuries after serious conditions have been ruled out. Not every injury is appropriate for chiropractic treatment.

What happens when Dr. Jackson examines a sore neck?

At Total Health & Injury Specialist, a first visit after a crash starts with a conversation about the accident, your symptoms, your health history and any care you have already had. The exam may include:

• Vital signs
• MyoVision range-of-motion screening
• Motion palpation, a hands-on evaluation of spinal and joint movement
• Deep tendon reflex testing
• Orthopedic exams
• Motor and sensory testing

Dr. Jackson reviews the findings with you during the same visit. When the exam shows treatment is appropriate and no contraindications turn up, the first visit includes therapy and an adjustment. These may be modified, deferred or avoided when clinically indicated. See the full first-visit steps.

What does research say about manipulation for neck pain?

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says spinal manipulation can be helpful for acute neck pain, meaning pain that has lasted less than 6 weeks, though reviewers urged caution because the evidence is small and the studies vary.

The same page is plain about risk. Mild-to-moderate side effects such as increased pain, stiffness or headache often occur, and most go away within 24 hours. A type of manipulation focused on the neck has been linked to rare tears in neck artery walls that can lead to a stroke. There is disagreement about whether manipulation actually causes them, and any sudden neck movement, including whiplash itself, may also raise the risk. The page says patients need to be informed, so ask questions and share your health conditions and medications. There is more in what research says about spinal manipulation.

What if your neck is not getting better?

Progress is part of the plan. If you do not show improvement within four weeks, the approach at this office includes a referral for an MRI when clinically appropriate. Dr. Jackson reviews the results with you and refers you to a medical specialist when necessary. Urgent symptoms or concerning findings may call for imaging or referral sooner than that.

What should you write down?

The office keeps records of your visits, symptoms, exam findings and treatment, and your own notes help. Before your visit, jot down:

• The date of the crash and where you were sitting
• Each symptom, and the day it started
• What makes it better or worse
• Any care you have had since the crash
• Your health conditions and medications

If you have questions about coverage, Georgia’s insurance office explains what drivers must carry.

Why see Dr. Jackson for neck pain after a crash in Decatur?

Auto accidents are a primary focus of this practice. “She’s helped me regain movement in my neck and back as well as made me comfortable with even coming to a chiropractor,” wrote DaiLaSoul in a Google review. Every patient is different, and that is one person’s experience, not a promise. The office is at 5304 Panola Industrial Blvd, Suite E, in Decatur. Call (404) 734-9740 or contact the office.