Whiplash & Car Accidents

Whiplash may leave your neck feeling sore and unsettled long after an accident. Many experience pain that seems to fade and then return when least expected. This hidden problem can mask an injury that needs careful care.

Research shows that the neck responds in two phases when hurt by a sudden force. In the first phase, the neck bends into an S-shape. The upper part moves one way while the lower part moves another, putting strain on muscles, joints, and ligaments. In the second phase, the neck straightens and the head reaches full extension. Studies have noted that this early bending puts extra stretch on the ligaments and arteries in the neck.

A personal story brings this to life. I have a patient named Mike. He is retired and thought his whiplash pain had improved a month after his car accident. When he started raking leaves, he noticed his neck and back hurt again. The extra work revealed that his injury was still affecting him. Mike got care soon after the accident, and his condition improved, but many do not realize that a past whiplash injury can bring pain back months or even a year later. Sometimes, what feels like new neck pain is really a reminder of an old injury.

If your neck pain lingers or returns, consider getting care from a trusted chiropractor in Cranston, RI. Hands-on treatments like mobilization, manipulation, and clinical massage can help ease tension and restore smooth movement. These treatments work to lessen pain and help your neck feel more comfortable. A careful examination can find out if old whiplash is the source of your pain and decide the right treatment for your situation. Early care might stop pain from growing worse and help you enjoy your everyday life without worry.

Taking care of your neck is important because it supports your head and helps you move freely. If you notice discomfort or recurring pain, a visit to a chiropractor in Cranston, RI might be just what you need. You deserve to feel well and keep doing the activities you love without the shadow of past injuries holding you back.

References:
Manohar M. Panjabi, Jacek Cholewicki, Kimio Nibu, Jonathan N. Grauer, Lawrence B. Babat, Jiri Dvorak, "Mechanism of Whiplash Injury," Clinical Biomechanics, Volume 13, Issues 4–5, 1998, Pages 239-249, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0268-0033(98)00033-3 Link

Wong JJ, Shearer HM, Mior S, Jacobs C, Côté P, Randhawa K, Yu H, Southerst D, Varatharajan S, Sutton D, van der Velde G, Carroll LJ, Ameis A, Ammendolia C, Brison R, Nordin M, Stupar M, Taylor-Vaisey A, "Are manual therapies, passive physical modalities, or acupuncture effective for the management of patients with whiplash-associated disorders or neck pain and associated disorders? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the OPTIMa collaboration," Spine J. 2016 Dec;16(12):1598-1630, doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2015.08.024. Link