CONDITION

Whiplash

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Dr. Austin Van Poole
Written by Dr. Austin Van Poole, DC
Active Rehab Chiropractor
5 min read

Treatment for Whiplash

Are you suffering from Whiplash injuries?

We would like to help.

Common Symptoms of Whiplash

Whiplash is frequently caused by car accidents, but can also be caused by falls, or other trauma to the head and upper torso. Other injuries that often accompany whiplash from a car accident include neck and back pain, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. The severity and type of whiplash can depend on the speed of each vehicle and angle of collision among other factors. It’s common for symptoms to arise days after an accident that weren’t present immediately upon impact.

**Common Symptoms **of Whiplash itself include:

  • Neck pain and stiffness.
  • Worsening of pain with neck movement.
  • Loss of range of motion in the neck.
  • Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull.
  • Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms.
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

The Biomechanics of Whiplash As a Soft Tissue Injury

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision and felt the effects of whiplash or soft tissue injury, you’ll likely need to seek immediate medical care. If the accident has just occurred, call 9-1-1.

Whiplash can also be considered a soft tissue injury. Thus, many in the medical community and the insurance industry will refer to whiplash as a soft tissue injury. “Whiplash” is actually a term referring to an injury sustained from a rapid change in direction that leads to your body absorbing the force of impact. Soft tissue injuries that can result from these absorbed forces can occur in (but are not limited to) three different but common forms.

The first is a sprain. A sprain is the result of a ligament that has been abnormally stretched or torn. Ligaments connect bones.When a motor vehicle collision occurs the rapid change in direction can stretch ligaments past their normal physiologic limits injuring the tissue.

The second is a strain. A strain typically injures the muscles and tendons. The mechanism (how it happens) is the same principle described above for sprains but in this situation, the tissues being abnormally lengthened past the point of safety are muscles and tendons. Muscles are considered contractile tissues which means they shorten and lengthen in the right amounts to allow us to move. Muscles attach to bones by tendons. Either the muscle itself or the tendon can experience injury from whiplash.

The third is a contusion. A contusion is another name for a bruise. Severe forces or blows to the soft tissues of the body can result in damage to blood vessels (vascular tissues) that result in blood collecting under the skin and producing the skin discoloration associated with bruising.

It is common to see all three types of injuries after a motor vehicle collision. Rehabilitative care after an injury such as whiplash can be beneficial for:

  • Reducing pain
  • Expediting recovery
  • Improving range of motion
  • Reducing post traumatic fear of movement

Treatment

Our providers have successfully treated and resolved hundreds of complicated whiplash injuries. A guiding principle when seeking treatment for any musculoskeletal injury or condition is finding a provider that is both licensed to diagnose and takes the time with you to perform all of the relevant orthopedic tests and functional movement tests to render an accurate diagnosis. A new patient exam at Radius lasts about 40-50 minutes specifically for the purpose of arriving at an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis and testing results will dictate which clinical protocols to employ in order to deliver the most effective treatment possible. Popular care options include: Chiropractic Treatment, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Targeted Exercises and Stretches, and even Surgery in some cases.

Insurance Coverage and Options

**Auto Insurance Coverage: **

Your or the other driver’s auto insurance may have coverage for medical claims. To find out if you have Medical Pay coverage, you can call your auto insurance company directly. Radius also performs** complimentary insurance coverage checks**. If you call Radius, simply let us know that’s what you’re looking for and be sure to have ready your (or the other driver’s) Policy #, Insurance Carrier (i.e. Geico, State Farm, Progressive, etc), and claim # (if you have one yet).

**Working with a Personal Injury Attorney: **

When working with a personal injury attorney, you’ll likely encounter different fee agreements, or ways the attorney will receive compensation for their work on your case. The most common format to hire a personal injury attorney, is to simply pay their hourly rate (which varies by attorney) at time of service. Sometimes personal finances don’t permit that option, though, which is why other formats exist. A second format, is for the attorney to take a percentage of the settlement as compensation for their work, as opposed to a fixed dollar amount. In this case, payment is deferred until after the case is settled. Another format, is for the attorney to take your case “on lien.” This usually means that you won’t be paying their hourly rate up front, but agree to pay their fees (either fixed dollar amount, or percentage) out of the final settlement.

Feel free to call our clinic with any questions we haven’t covered on this page - here to help!

Dr. Austin Van Poole
About the author
Dr. Austin Van Poole, DC
Active Rehab Chiropractor

Dr. Austin Van Poole is a compassionate and results-driven chiropractor based in Nevada City, California, focused on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, soft tissue therapy, and active care for injury recovery and performance enhancement. Known for his empathetic approach and dedication to patient-centered care, Dr. Van Poole is passionate about helping individuals reduce pain, regain function, and reclaim the active lives they love. Whether treating acute injuries, chronic pain, or sports-related conditions, he delivers personalized care plans focused on movement optimization and long-term wellness.

More from Dr. Austin Van Poole →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about whiplash.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury of the neck (cervical spine). The most common type is whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), which result from acceleration-deceleration forces on the neck, typically following a motor vehicle accident. The same injury can also follow sports collisions, falls, or assault. It involves the neck's ligamentous and muscular structures, and diagnostic imaging is often normal.

What are the symptoms of whiplash, and can they be delayed?

Neck pain is the most common symptom of whiplash, followed by headache. People may also have neck stiffness and tenderness, pain between the shoulder blades, upper-limb pain or tingling, dizziness, visual disturbances, jaw dysfunction, and cognitive or mood symptoms. Symptoms can be delayed: some begin right after a crash, while others take at least 12 hours to appear.

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash is caused by soft tissue injury to the neck's ligaments and muscles from acceleration-deceleration trauma, when substantial biomechanical force is applied to the cervical spine. Traffic trauma, especially rear-end vehicle collisions, accounts for most cases. The same syndrome can also follow contact sports, falls, roller coasters, or assault.

How long does whiplash take to recover, and what predicts a slower recovery?

Most people with whiplash recover within days to several weeks, and more severe injuries can take several weeks or even months. However, about half of patients remain symptomatic one year after whiplash, and roughly one-quarter develop chronic pain. Persistent symptoms beyond the first three months carry a lower probability of later full recovery. Predictors of slower recovery include high initial pain or neck disability, headache at onset, low back pain, female sex, older age, higher injury grade, and poor psychological responses to the trauma.

Is it better to stay active or rest after whiplash?

Early activity is generally favored after whiplash once serious structural injury has been ruled out. International guidelines recommend early mobilization and activity, which consistently show benefits, particularly compared with rest and prolonged use of cervical collars. Patients are advised to avoid prolonged collar use and stay active, including short walks and gentle neck movements. Supervised exercise programs have shown particular benefit in reducing pain and disability.

How is whiplash treated?

Whiplash management generally follows a multimodal approach targeting both physical and psychological factors. Care commonly includes early activity and supervised exercise, hands-on manual therapy, and self-directed neck movements. Providers may recommend hot or cold packs to the neck during the first seven to ten days, and pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medication, or muscle relaxers to manage symptoms. Physical therapy with guided exercises helps strengthen injured areas as they heal.

When should someone with whiplash seek medical care?

Anyone with a possible spine injury should see a healthcare provider, and pain that is moderate or does not improve with at-home care can signal a more serious injury. After neck trauma, clinicians use validated rules to decide when imaging is needed — for example, imaging is indicated with midline cervical tenderness, focal neurologic deficits, altered mental status, intoxication, distracting injuries, age over 65, or a dangerous injury mechanism. Objective radiculopathy, cord symptoms, or progressive neurologic change warrant further imaging such as MRI.

When should someone worry about whiplash becoming long-lasting?

Whiplash symptoms that persist beyond the first three months carry a lower probability of later full recovery, so lingering symptoms around that point are worth clinical attention. About half of patients remain symptomatic at one year, and roughly one-quarter develop chronic pain. Higher initial pain and disability, headache at onset, and poor psychological responses to the trauma are among the factors linked to a slower, more prolonged course.

Sources

The information on this website is general education about musculoskeletal and movement-related conditions. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis, and it cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. Reading it is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation, and booking a visit does not confirm that your condition is right for our care until a provider has examined you. This information cannot identify every condition, and some urgent problems can feel like musculoskeletal pain. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, or you are unsure how urgent they are, contact your physician, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. When in doubt, seek emergency care.

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