Auto injury and whiplash treatment

Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley

Whiplash is a neck injury caused when the head is suddenly thrown forward and back, most often in a car accident, straining the muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves of the neck. Chiropractic care may help by carefully assessing the injury, protecting healing tissues and gradually restoring movement with gentle adjustments, soft tissue work and exercise.

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When to seek urgent care

After any crash, get checked by a medical doctor or emergency room first if you had:

  • A blow to the head
  • Any loss of consciousness, even briefly
  • Severe neck pain
  • Numbness, weakness, confusion, vomiting or a worsening headache

Go to an emergency room straight away. Chiropractic care comes after serious injury has been ruled out.

After a car accident

Car accidents can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Many people come to us confused about their symptoms, unsure whether their pain is serious, or worried because it keeps changing in the days or weeks after the crash.

Our chiropractors care for people with whiplash and other injuries from car accidents. Care begins with careful listening, a thorough evaluation and clear explanations, so you understand what is happening in your body and why symptoms can appear or change over time.

Car accidents often cause more soft tissue injury than everyday strains, especially to the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons of the spine. Our goal is to help your body heal well after the injury while protecting your spine, joints and nerves.

What whiplash is

Whiplash happens when the head and neck are suddenly forced forward and backward, most often in car accidents. That fast movement strains the muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves of the neck and upper spine. Even low-speed accidents can cause whiplash, and symptoms may not appear right away.

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury, so damage can be present even when X-rays show no fracture. It often involves inflammation, muscle spasm and irritation of the joints and nerves in the neck.

How auto injuries are assessed

Your evaluation may include:

  • A detailed history of the accident
  • Your symptoms and when they started
  • A posture assessment
  • Range of motion tests
  • Muscle and joint checks
  • A neurological screen
  • X-rays when clinically appropriate

Intake after an accident is more detailed than usual. Your chiropractor asks about earlier accidents and symptoms, how your symptoms have changed and whether anything appeared after the collision that was not there before, then explains the findings and your recovery plan. If your exam suggests an injury that needs imaging or a medical doctor, we refer you.

Our approach to auto injury care

Every auto injury is different, so care is cautious, structured and individual. It focuses on:

  • Protecting injured tissues
  • Restoring normal movement gradually
  • Preventing long-term stiffness or instability
  • A safe return to daily activities

Care after a car accident is often more involved than for everyday strains because there is usually more soft tissue injury. Your chiropractor monitors your healing closely and adjusts your plan as you progress, with gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, massage and exercises.

Patient case studies

Neck pain and headaches after a rear-end collision

Patient
A man who was rear-ended in a car accident.
Symptoms
Neck pain, headaches, and numbness and tingling in some fingers. He rated his pain 8 out of 10.
Findings
An MRI of the neck was ordered to check whether a disc was pressing on a nerve or whether the symptoms came from muscle spasm and inflammation.
Care
A standard course of chiropractic care.
Outcome
After a month of care his neck pain and headaches had gone and his pain was 0 or 1 out of 10. He still had some numbness and tingling in his fingers and was continuing care.

Individual results vary.

Care that may be part of your plan

Your chiropractor recommends care after your exam. Some therapies are offered only at certain offices.

Book a visit for auto accident injuries and whiplash

Auto accident injuries and whiplash is treated at all 3 Greenlight offices.

Your questions,
answered

About auto accident injuries and whiplash care at Greenlight.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Neck pain and stiffness, reduced or painful neck movement, headaches, shoulder pain or tenderness, tingling or numbness in the arms, dizziness, tiredness and neck pain that spreads into the arms. Some people also have ringing in the ears, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, memory problems or difficulty concentrating, which should also be checked by a medical doctor.

Why did my pain start days after the accident?

Symptoms of whiplash often appear hours or days later, as inflammation and muscle spasm build. That is why it helps to be checked after any accident, even if you felt fine at first.

Should I see a doctor or a chiropractor first?

If you hit your head, lost consciousness, have severe neck pain, or have numbness, weakness, confusion or vomiting, go to an emergency room first. Otherwise, a chiropractic evaluation can assess soft tissue and joint injuries, and we refer you to a medical doctor when needed.

What raises the risk of a more serious whiplash injury?

Older age, earlier neck or back injuries or whiplash, and high-speed collisions. Sports injuries, falls and contact sports such as football or hockey can also cause whiplash.

Will whiplash go away on its own?

Some whiplash settles with rest. In other people the discomfort lingers for months. A careful assessment and early care help you recover with better movement.

Do you accept insurance for auto accident care?

Coverage depends on your situation and plan. Call your office and our team can talk you through it.