Car Accident Injury / Whiplash Specialist
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced forward and backward, most commonly during car accidents. Symptoms, including pain or headaches, may occur days after the event.
However, it is important to get a medical evaluation right away to rule out fractures or other serious injuries. Once cleared, consider seeing a chiropractor experienced in treating whiplash and auto accident injuries.
Dr. Gregory Lee, DC, examines the effects of the accident on the spine, the joints, and their associated muscles. On your first visit at Active Family Wellness, we conduct a full evaluation to understand exactly what happened and where the damage is, whether that points to misalignment, muscle injury, or nerve irritation.
Treatment focuses on restoring movement, reducing inflammation, and addressing the areas affected by the injury so the body can recover with less strain and better stability over time. Call us at (703) 373-7113 to schedule an appointment.
Symptoms of Auto Accident injuries / Whiplash
A headache is a common symptom of a whiplash injury. This headache may present itself as a migraine-like headache or exacerbate an existing headache.
“Referred” pain may also occur from a whiplash injury. Referred pain is actually felt at other parts of the body that are different from the body part that was actually injured. In the case of an auto-accident whiplash injury, sometimes pain in the arm and/or shoulder is referred from the neck.
Auto collisions can result in low back pain. Low back pain that results from whiplash may be caused by injury to the sacroiliac joints, the discs, or the facet joints of the low back. Lower back pain is often referred to from the neck.
Other symptoms often seen after a whiplash injury include:
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Worsening of pain with neck movement
- Loss of range of motion in the neck
Temporary Pain Relief for Auto Accident Injuries / Whiplash
The goals of treating a whiplash injury are to relieve pain, restore motion in the neck, and help you return to normal activities over time. Our chiropractors work with you toward these goals.
To control pain, ice or heat treatment may also be used to reduce inflammation and control pain. Proper rest is also recommended for whiplash patients.
Your chiropractor may also recommend a number of motion exercises or stretches to restore motion to the neck in a gradual manner.
Many patients benefit from over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic medication such as Ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and local pain relief balm or ointments. These pain relief medications will help with discomfort with a view to more robust management of the whiplash injury.
Watch Now: Dr. Gregory Lee DC Discusses Chiropractic Care for Car Accident Injuries
Causes of Auto Accident Injuries / Whiplash
When a vehicle forcefully halts, jerks, or swerves as a result of a collision, this may cause the driver or passengers to turn or jerk their necks suddenly. This forceful impact on the neck and head can result in tears, stretches, and damage to the muscles, discs, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues of the neck.
A whiplash injury can also be caused by the following:
- Automobile Accidents: Rear-end collisions, fender-bender collisions can cause whiplash.
- Fights and Physical Assault: When someone is shaken by the neck or punched, whiplash can occur.
- Sports: Football, boxing, and other contact sports-related collisions may cause whiplash
How Can Whiplash Injury Be Treated?
Chiropractors at Active Family Wellness will discuss symptoms with the patient and often recommend x-ray imaging to understand the impact of the injury. Common treatments include cervical spine adjustments, massage, deep tissue laser therapy, and therapeutic exercises.
Long-Term Problems That Can Happen Due to Ignoring Auto Accident Injuries / Whiplash
A chronic debilitating kind of neck pain may occur when a whiplash injury is poorly managed. Neck muscle spasms may also occur, leading to increased pain and stiffness.
In some very severe cases, patients get a stiff neck with limited or no motion of their injured neck. There may also be a long-term impact on the cervical discs and degenerative joint disease.
Auto Accident/Whiplash Patient Case Studies
Improvement Of Back and Headache Symptoms After a Rear-End Collision
Patient Information
A 29-year-old man presented to our clinic after an automobile accident. His goal was to lift weights at the gym again and to cycle 35 miles.
Symptoms
He was waiting at a stop sign when a car hit him from behind. Two hours later, while at work, he felt pain all over his back. It was sharp in some spots and dull in others, and he rated it 7/10. His left wrist also hurt, at 5/10. He could not do his tasks at work because they required full range of motion. He took Advil (pain medication), which did not help. The symptoms got worse in his spine and wrist. Tight headaches came on too, and they made him feel nauseous at work.
Diagnosis
Dr. Lee found damage to the ligament in his upper neck. His mid and lower back were under stress because the surrounding muscles were sprained and strained. His diagnosis was upper cervical ligamentous instability (a loose, unstable neck ligament) with segmental dysfunction in the mid and lower back.
Treatments
His plan was three visits a week for 12 weeks. Each visit included diversified adjusting of the neck, mid back, and lower back. In the clinic, he did specific strengthening exercises through the full range of motion of those areas. He also spent 8 minutes on a balance board. Passive therapies included electrical stimulation to bring more blood flow to the upper back and lower back muscles on both sides.
Outcome
By the third week, he was able to move his head and his middle back without much pain. His lower back and pelvis were getting stronger. He rated his spinal pain as 2/10. His headaches had decreased in frequency and severity. The patient returned to work much faster due to the muscle strengthening exercise routines. By the seventh week, he was weight training once again.
Recovery From Neck and Low Back Pain In a 19-Year-Old After a Side Impact Collision
Patient Information
A 19-year-old man came to the clinic after a traumatic car accident. His neck and low back were painful, and his whole body felt sore afterward.
Symptoms
Another car struck the passenger side of the patient’s vehicle. Soon after the incident, he felt dizzy. Later that day, his whole body was sore. His neck pain reached 10/10, and he had low back pain on the left side.
Diagnosis
Dr. Gregory Lee found misalignments in his neck, upper back, and lower back. The ligaments in all three areas were unstable, and his muscles were tight. Imaging showed no fractures. The ribs on his left side, where the car hit him, had subluxations. He had some difficulty breathing and could not move freely.
Treatments
His treatment plan was three visits a week for 12 weeks. Dr. Lee performed instrument-assisted adjusting using an activator. Diversified adjustment was one of his main treatments. At the twelfth visit, we added rehabilitation exercises.
Outcome
His neck and mid-back pain fell to 0/10 on the pain rating scale, and his low back pain fell to 1/10. He slept better and handled stress more easily. He also had more energy throughout the day and no longer felt constantly foggy.
Book an Appointment
Please use the booking tool below to request an appointment. Our patient care coordinator will call you shortly to discuss your symptoms and finalize your appointment.
How do we treat Auto Accident injuries?
- (703) 373-7113
Let Us Help to treat your auto accident injuries / whiplash
Do not ignore your Auto Accident Injuries / Whiplash, it can become worse over time. It’s important to consult with the doctor and understand the root cause of Accident Injuries / Whiplash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can be the hidden damages to the body due to auto accidents?
Your doctor may order X-rays or other imaging scans as needed. This is done to ascertain that the impact was sustained in the suspected body parts. It is in your best interest to see a doctor after an auto accident, even if you generally feel well after the incident.
Some hidden complications may include internal organ bleeding, traumatic brain injury, and others.
Does Medical Insurance Cover Treatment for Auto Accident Injuries / Whiplash?
Please contact the clinic at (703) 373-7113 to learn about various options available.
Why do minor collisions cause so much trauma to the spine?
Even a low-speed collision transfers sudden force through the vehicle to your body. The spine supports your upper body and protects the spinal cord, so it absorbs much of that force. The abrupt movement can strain the muscles, ligaments, and joints along the spine, especially in the neck and lower back.
Can I prevent a whiplash injury?
A whiplash injury may be prevented by careful driving while obeying all necessary road traffic regulations.
- Avoid overspeeding.
- Do not engage in physical fights.
- Wear your seatbelts and use protective gear in contact sports.
How long are you sore after a car accident?
This depends on the impact or severity of the car accident. For mild injuries, pain may last from some days to a few weeks. It is less severe if properly managed with analgesics and physiotherapy.
Is it normal to throw up after a car accident?
Some auto accident victims may throw up because of all the sudden motions that occur in a road traffic accident. These could lead to balance problems (vestibular disturbance) and may progress to nausea and vomiting. It could be psychological also.
Can you get a concussion from a minor car accident?
Impact on the head from an auto accident or a whiplash injury may result in a minor concussion. The patient may recover on his own, but the proper medical evaluation is always required.
What is the most common injury in a car accident?
An auto accident can cause several injuries, including whiplash, back pain, knee pain, fractures, and traumatic brain injury.
Why is my car accident settlement taking so long?
Settlements may be delayed due to the insurance companies wanting to conduct due diligence or if large claims are involved.
