Neck & Head
Whiplash (Cervical Acceleration–Deceleration Injury)
Also called: CAD injury, neck sprain from a crash
A rapid back-and-forth motion of the head — most often from a car crash — that overstretches the joints, discs, muscles, and ligaments of the neck. Symptoms often worsen 24–72 hours after the event, so feeling 'okay' at the scene does not mean you're uninjured.
Common signs
- Neck pain and stiffness that builds over 1–3 days
- Headache starting at the base of the skull
- Pain with turning or looking up
- Shoulder, upper back, or arm ache
- Dizziness, fatigue, or trouble concentrating
Seek help now if
- Severe pain with any neck movement immediately after high-speed impact
- Numbness, weakness, or shooting pain in both arms or legs
- Loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, worsening confusion
- Trouble with balance, speech, or swallowing
Any of these: call 911 or get to an emergency room first. Everything else can wait.
What to do first
- Get evaluated within the first week even if symptoms seem mild — early findings matter for healing and for documenting the injury
- Use relative rest, not a collar; gentle movement within comfort heals faster than immobilization
- Ice 15–20 minutes at a time for the first 48–72 hours, then transition to heat as tolerated
- Hydrate consistently and prioritize sleep — soft tissue repairs overnight
- Write down when and how symptoms change; delayed onset is normal and worth recording
If it's become chronic
- If pain persists past 6–8 weeks, ask for a full re-examination including range-of-motion measurement and neurological screening
- Persistent cases often involve facet joints, deep neck flexor weakness, or unresolved ligament injury — targeted rehab changes the trajectory
- Chronic whiplash with headaches, dizziness, or brain fog deserves a neurologically-focused workup, not just more massage
Natural healing options we use
- Specific chiropractic adjusting to restore segmental motion
- Attended electrical muscle stimulation and PEMF for pain and tissue recovery
- Manual therapy and myofascial release for guarded musculature
- Progressive deep neck flexor and postural retraining
- Anti-inflammatory nutrition support and consistent hydration
About imaging
X-rays (including motion views) are often appropriate after trauma to assess alignment and ligament stability. MRI is reserved for arm symptoms, neurological signs, or pain that isn't resolving on schedule.
Daily self-care
- Gentle chin tucks and pain-free rotation several times daily
- Avoid long static phone/laptop postures in the first weeks
- Sleep on your back or side with a supportive pillow, not on your stomach
How we can help
Chiropractic Adjustments
Learn more →PEMF Therapy
Learn more →Neuro-Electrical Stimulation
Learn more →More in Neck & Head
Cervical Sprain/StrainCervical Disc HerniationCervical RadiculopathyCervical Facet SyndromeCervical Degenerative Disc Disease & SpondylosisCervical Spinal StenosisCervicogenic HeadacheTension-Type Headache
Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.