By the Fitness Chiropractic team · Updated
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck — muscles, ligaments, joints, discs and nerves — caused by a sudden back-and-forth "whip" of the head. Rear-end car collisions are the most common cause, but contact sports, falls and amusement park rides can do it too.
Because whiplash rarely leaves bruises or cuts, it's easy to underestimate. Your neck can be strained even in a low-speed collision with little visible damage to your car.
Common whiplash symptoms
- Neck pain and stiffness, and trouble turning your head
- Whiplash headaches, usually starting at the base of the skull
- Pain in the shoulders or between the shoulder blades
- Lower back pain — see how to relieve back pain caused by whiplash
- Numbness, tingling or pain in the arms or hands
- Dizziness, fatigue and trouble sleeping
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering, and irritability
- Ringing in the ears or blurred vision
Some of these, such as memory problems, blurred vision or dizziness, can also be signs of a concussion, so be sure to mention them at your exam.
Why whiplash symptoms are often delayed
It's common to feel fine at the scene and wake up sore the next morning. Adrenaline masks pain right after an accident, and inflammation in strained tissues builds over the following hours. Delayed whiplash symptoms often appear a day or more later, and stiffness can keep increasing for several days.
That's why it's worth being examined after a collision even if you feel okay — it also creates an early record of your injury. Whiplash can affect more than comfort; read about how whiplash symptoms can affect your mobility.
New patient special
Get your whiplash checked — $75
Whiplash grades
Clinicians often use the Quebec Task Force scale to describe how severe a whiplash injury is:
- Grade 0: no neck complaints and no physical signs
- Grade I: neck pain, stiffness or tenderness, but no physical signs on exam
- Grade II: neck pain plus musculoskeletal signs, such as reduced range of motion and point tenderness
- Grade III: neck pain plus neurological signs, such as reduced reflexes, weakness or numbness
- Grade IV: neck pain with a fracture or dislocation
Grades I and II are generally well suited to conservative care. Grade III needs closer monitoring and sometimes a medical referral, and grade IV is a medical emergency.
How long does whiplash last?
Many people improve within a few weeks, but some have pain and stiffness for months. Recovery tends to take longer when pain is severe early on, when you had neck problems before the accident, or when symptoms spread into the arms.
Staying gently active is generally recommended over keeping the neck still — wearing a soft collar for long periods can leave it stiffer. Early evaluation and a gradual return to normal movement give you the best start.
How our chiropractors treat whiplash
Your first visit includes a full orthopedic and neurological exam to grade the injury and check for anything that needs imaging or a medical referral. Whiplash treatment then usually moves in stages:
- Calm things down — gentle mobilization, light soft tissue work, and ice or heat to ease pain and muscle guarding
- Restore motion — chiropractic adjustments when appropriate, plus stretching to get your neck and upper back moving normally
- Rebuild strength — exercises for the deep neck and shoulder muscles, and posture work, to support your recovery and reduce lingering problems
Massage therapy is often added once the acute phase settles, to release tight neck and shoulder muscles. You can read more about our overall approach to chiropractic treatment.
If your injury came from a crash, we record your exam findings and every session, so you have records to submit with your claim, and we accept most PPO plans and attorney liens. Learn more about our car accident chiropractor care and the other car accident injuries we treat.
When to get emergency care
Go to an emergency room or call 911 — before seeking chiropractic care — if, after an accident, you have:
- Severe neck pain or pain directly over the spine, especially after a high-speed crash
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
- Confusion, loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting or a headache that keeps getting worse
- Trouble walking, speaking, swallowing or seeing
For milder neck pain and stiffness, see our page on neck pain or come in for an exam.
