What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash happens when your head is rapidly thrown back and then forward again, even at speeds as low as 5 miles per hour. This type of car accident whiplash injury causes hyperextension of the ligaments and muscles, leading to severe pain in the neck and shoulders as well as headaches, dizziness and numbness in the arms and fingers.
Rear-end collisions are the most common cause of whiplash from a car accident, though this injury can also happen while playing sports or through accidents at work. If you were recently in a collision and are experiencing neck pain or stiffness, you may be dealing with a whiplash injury — and getting proper whiplash treatment as soon as possible is critical.
Whiplash involves injury to the soft tissues of the neck and shoulders, including the ligaments, tendons, muscles and spinal discs. The symptoms of whiplash after a car accident can include neck stiffness, persistent headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, and even numbness or tingling that radiates into the arms and hands. If left untreated, whiplash can cause substantial long-term and often debilitating pain.
That's why we recommend coming in for an exam as soon as possible after you are in a car accident or other impact-related incident. Many patients wonder how long whiplash lasts after a car accident. With proper chiropractic treatment for whiplash, most patients recover significantly faster than those who go without care — but delays in treatment can extend recovery time considerably.
Whiplash involves injury to the soft tissues of the neck and shoulders, including the ligaments, tendons, muscles and spinal discs. If left untreated, whiplash can cause substantial long-term and often debilitating pain.
That’s why we recommend coming in for an exam as soon as possible after you are in a car accident or other impact-related incident.
Repositioning The Spine To Improve Motion And Restore Function
We often combine chiropractic treatment for whiplash with massage, exercise and trigger point therapy to create a comprehensive solution that will eliminate your pain. This multi-modal approach is what makes our whiplash injury treatment effective for patients dealing with both acute and lingering post-accident symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
he most common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, persistent headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, and numbness or tingling in the arms and fingers. Symptoms can appear immediately after a collision or develop over the following 24 to 48 hours, which is why getting evaluated promptly is important.
Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the injury and when treatment begins. Mild whiplash injuries often resolve within a few weeks with proper care, while more severe cases can take several months. Starting chiropractic treatment for whiplash early can significantly shorten your recovery timeline.
Your treatment plan is customized based on a comprehensive evaluation of your injury. It typically includes spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment, combined with massage therapy, targeted exercises, and trigger point therapy. We serve patients from our Kennewick, Pasco, and Spokane clinics and offer same-day appointments so you can get care quickly after an accident.
We specialize in helping people heal from whiplash.
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Dr. Jorgensen is a whiplash specialist who is an expert in treating spinal alignment issues resulting from car accidents. When you visit our office for whiplash treatment, we'll go over the details of the crash to pinpoint precisely the injured soft tissues.
We'll do a comprehensive evaluation to determine your treatment. Should your injury require surgery or medication, we'll gladly refer you to one of our trusted medical colleagues so you can get the relief you need.
At Northwest Injury Clinics, we've helped hundreds of patients recover from car accident whiplash injuries and get back to a pain-free life. If you've been in an auto accident and are experiencing neck pain, stiffness, or headaches, don't wait — untreated whiplash can become a chronic condition. If you think you might have whiplash, please call our office today or schedule your free consultation online.
Not sure if your injury qualifies? Learn more about auto accident chiropractic treatment and the full range of conditions we treat at our clinics.
