Symptoms of Whiplash after a Car Accident

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to your neck. Also known as a neck sprain or neck strain, whiplash commonly occurs after a car accident, especially a rear-end collision that causes your head to whip back and forth.

Symptoms of whiplash may not develop for 24 hours or more after a car accident.

When symptoms do develop, they can include:

• Neck pain, neck stiffness
• Headaches
• Pain in your shoulder or between your shoulder blades
• Low back pain
• Pain or numbness in your arm and/or your hand
• Abnormal sensations, such as burning or prickling
• Dizziness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue

Doctors have only recently begun to understand the underlying causes of whiplash symptoms. The traumatic forces of a car crash cause mild muscle strain or minor injury to other non-bone tissues in your neck, shoulders and upper back. The forceful motion of an auto accident can injure nerves, discs and, in the most severe cases, cause serious damage to the ligaments and bones in your neck.

Symptoms of whiplash can last for weeks or months, especially without prompt professional care.

Our Everett Chiropractor Discusses Whiplash Treatment

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and car accident, appropriate chiropractic care allows your body to heal in a natural way. Our Everett chiropractor at Cornerstone Chiropractic has treated many patients who suffered symptoms of whiplash following a car accident.

Chiropractic treatment for whiplash focuses on relieving symptoms. Our chiropractor will start treatment with a complete evaluation of your neck and spine, noting any areas of restricted joint motion, intervertebral disc injury, muscle spasm, and ligament injury. Next, our chiropractor will prescribe a personalized course of treatment that may include spinal adjustment and massage therapy to realign the bones of the spine and soothe painful muscle spasms.

If you have been in a car accident and are concerned about suffering symptoms of whiplash, make an appointment Cornerstone Chiropractic by calling 425-379-6301.

Do you suffer any symptoms of whiplash after your car accident