When you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it’s common to experience pain and discomfort in your neck, shoulders and upper back, even if you were traveling at a relatively slow speed and the impact was relatively minor. In many instances, the pain and discomfort will be the result of a whiplash-type injury. In some circumstances, though, it may be evidence of a far more serious condition.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash injuries typically occur when there has been a collision, causing passengers in a motor vehicle to experience a violent snapping of the head and neck, typically forward and back, though it may also be from side to side. Whiplash-type injuries customarily cause an overstretching of ligaments, muscles, and other soft tissue. In many cases, it will also involve tearing of connective tissue.
The symptoms of whiplash customarily extend beyond localized neck pain, often including headaches, dizziness, shoulder or arm discomfort, and even cognitive issues like poor concentration or memory problems.
Whiplash after a car accident can have a delayed presentation, with symptoms appearing hours or even days later.
Recognizing these delayed whiplash symptoms is essential to avoid complications and ensure proper treatment.
What Other Types of Neck Injuries Are Commonly Suffered in a Car Accident?
Drivers and passengers may also suffer a wide range of other neck-related injuries in an auto, truck or motorcycle accident, including:
- Stiffness or loss of range of motion in your neck–One of your body’s first reactions to trauma is typically swelling or inflammation, which can make it difficult to turn your head from side to side, and may be accompanied by significant pain or discomfort
- Cervical fractures–broken bones (typically vertebrae) in the neck, which can cause significant pain and instability in your spinal cord
- Herniated or bulging discs–Damage to the soft plates or pads that serve as cushions between your vertebrae, leading to bulging or tearing of tissue
- Dislocated vertebrae–the displacement of the bones that make up the spinal column, which can cause nerve impingement or damage to discs
- Damage or trauma to nerves or nerve endings, often indicated by tingling, numbness or weakness in shoulders, hands or arms
When To Seek Medical Evaluation
If the pain lingers for more than a few days, continues to get worse, or comes with red flags like tingling, weakness, numbness, or frequent headaches, it may be more serious than simple stiffness. These can be signs of emergency symptoms after a car accident.
A physician may order imaging or a neurological exam if whiplash is suspected. Getting checked early lowers the risk of chronic pain and often hastens recovery.
Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches
A stiff neck usually responds well to simple measures like stretching, posture correction, and hot or cold therapy.
Whiplash, however, often requires a more structured approach. This includes physical therapy for whiplash, targeted exercise, manual therapy, vestibular rehab for dizziness, and cognitive pacing. For cervical fractures, disc injury, dislocations and nerve impingements, you will want to seek treatment from a medical professional.
Pain management may also involve behavioral strategies and, when necessary, interventional care.
Read Also: How Auto Accidents Cause Whiplash and Spine Pain
Contact Advantage Healthcare Systems for Neck Pain and Whiplash Care
If you’re unsure whether your neck pain is just stiffness or a sign of whiplash, don’t take chances. Early evaluation and treatment prevent long-term complications and help you return to normal function safely.
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, our expert team provides evidence-based, non-opioid care through customized rehabilitation programs designed to restore strength, mobility, and confidence.
Schedule your consultation today by calling 877-487-8289 or contacting us online to begin your path toward lasting recovery.
