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Click HereWhiplash is the most common neck injury reported after a car crash, and it does not stop there. Motorcycle accidents, sports collisions, and trips and falls can cause the same rapid back-and-forth motion in the neck that leads to whiplash. At The Neck and Back Clinics, we see this injury often enough to know it deserves more attention than "just a sore neck."
The force of a crash or fall strains the neck unnaturally. That force can damage the discs between vertebrae, stretch or tear the ligaments and tendons supporting the cervical spine, and irritate nerve roots when the vertebrae shift out of alignment. The result is pain that can affect far more than your neck, from headaches to trouble concentrating.
If you were in a car crash, motorcycle accident, or any other collision, even one that felt minor, call The Neck and Back Clinics to schedule an evaluation. Nevada: 702.644.3333 | Arizona: 602.368.1333. Whiplash symptoms are notorious for showing up late, so waiting to see how you feel is not a safe strategy.
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the rapid, forceful movement of the head forward and backward, or side to side, beyond its normal range of motion. The sudden motion can damage the discs between the vertebrae, stretch or tear the ligaments and tendons supporting the cervical spine, irritate the nerve roots, and inflame the surrounding musculature.
The most common cause is a rear-end vehicle collision. When another car strikes yours from behind, the impact pushes your torso forward while your head briefly stays in place. Your neck then snaps backward on the rebound. This happens in milliseconds and at forces your muscles cannot react to in time.
Whiplash does not require a high-speed crash. Research through Yale University has shown that disc, ligament and tendon injuries can occur at collision speeds as low as 5 to 10 miles per hour. The lack of visible vehicle damage has no bearing on whether cervical injury occurred.
Beyond rear-end collisions, whiplash injuries also result from:
Whiplash symptoms do not always appear right after an accident. Some people feel significant neck pain and stiffness within hours. Others notice symptoms developing gradually over the first 24 to 72 hours. This delayed onset is one reason many accident victims underestimate their injuries at the scene.
Common symptoms of a whiplash injury include:
If you are experiencing neck pain, headaches, fatigue, vision changes, or trouble concentrating after a motor vehicle collision, these symptoms are consistent with whiplash, even without a single dramatic symptom right after the crash. Symptoms involving the arms, hands, or jaw can indicate disc or nerve root involvement and warrant prompt evaluation.
Whiplash injuries, especially when discs, nerves, or ligaments are involved, can take three months or longer to fully resolve. Recovery time depends on how quickly treatment starts, the severity of the injury, and whether care includes an appropriate rehabilitation plan rather than rest alone.
Delaying care is one of the most common reasons whiplash turns into a chronic problem. An injury that could have resolved faster with early chiropractic care can linger for months if the neck is left to heal on its own without addressing the underlying joint and disc dysfunction.
If symptoms persist beyond three months, the condition may be classified as a chronic whiplash-associated disorder. At that stage, ongoing chiropractic care may help manage symptoms and support long-term daily function.
X-rays primarily show bone and are used to rule out fractures or dislocations, which is why they are often the first imaging ordered after a crash. Whiplash itself is a disc, ligament and tendon injury, so it will not appear on an X-ray. An MRI can show disc, ligament, and nerve detail that X-rays miss, which is why one may be recommended.
A normal X-ray does not rule out whiplash. It simply means there is no visible fracture, which is good news, but it does not mean the neck escaped injury.
Chiropractic treatment for whiplash focuses on restoring normal movement to the injured joints of the cervical spine, reducing inflammation, and supporting recovery of the affected discs, ligaments, and tendons. Treatment is non-invasive and does not involve surgery or long-term reliance on pain medication.
At The Neck and Back Clinics, every treatment plan is built around the specifics of your injury. A thorough examination comes first, covering how the accident occurred, a full assessment of your neck and spine, and imaging when appropriate. From there, your chiropractor develops a care plan matched to your symptoms and recovery goals.
When whiplash involves damage to the spinal discs or surrounding connective tissue, chiropractic care may be combined with additional therapies, which can include:
Chiropractic care may help relieve pressure on irritated nerve roots and support improved motion in the neck, which is why it is often recommended for whiplash. It may also help with related headaches, fatigue, and other symptoms without relying on pain medication as the primary treatment.
We operate eight locations across Nevada and Arizona, including Downtown, Aliante, Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, both Green Valley clinics, and Laveen. Our chiropractic physicians receive extensive training in the body's central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord, making whiplash and other neck injuries a core part of what we treat every day.
We coordinate with primary care physicians, imaging centers, and attorneys when needed, so your treatment plan and your documentation stay aligned from the first visit.
Whiplash injuries can take three months of treatment or longer. Starting treatment early tends to shorten recovery time and reduce the risk of chronic complications.
You should be evaluated within 24 to 48 hours, even if you feel fine at the scene. Whiplash symptoms frequently do not appear until hours or days after the crash, and early evaluation creates a documented record of the injury.
X-rays mainly rule out fractures and do not always show whiplash, since it is a disc, ligament and tendon injury rather than a bone injury. An MRI can capture disc, ligament, and nerve detail that X-rays miss, and may be recommended.
Yes. Whiplash commonly causes headaches, often starting at the base of the skull, along with fatigue, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances in addition to neck pain and stiffness.
Chiropractic care is one of the most commonly recommended non-surgical treatments for whiplash and is generally considered safe for most patients when provided by a licensed chiropractor. At The Neck and Back Clinics, treatment is tailored to each patient's injury and adjusted based on the stage of healing, with gentler techniques used during the early inflammatory period.
Untreated or undertreated whiplash can develop into a chronic whiplash-associated disorder, with ongoing neck pain, headaches, and reduced range of motion lasting months or years. Beginning treatment promptly and following through with your care plan gives you the best chance of full recovery and significantly reduces the risk of long-term complications.
No referral is required. You can call or request an appointment online, and our team will schedule an evaluation at the location closest to you.
New patients can request an appointment online, or call 702.644.3333 for our Nevada locations and 602.368.1333 for our Arizona location in Laveen. Existing patients should call their clinic directly to schedule.
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