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Whiplash:
The Symptoms You Need to Know
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when your body is suddenly forced backward and forward. It’s the most common injury that happens during an automobile accident, and it’s one of the leading causes of chronic neck and back pain. While a little fender bender may not seem like a big deal, new research has shown that even small accidents can result in significant injuries.
The violent forces involved in an auto accident can affect the spinal discs, ligaments, tendons, and bones—even during collisions that occur at relatively low speeds. Many of these injuries happen because the head is suddenly forced backward and forward, placing significant stress on the neck and upper spine. This rapid motion can contribute to ligament injuries, spinal disc damage, and a variety of post-accident neurological and structural symptoms, including neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and other changes that may not appear immediately. Because adrenaline surges following a collision, it is common for symptoms to take hours or even several days to become noticeable after the initial shock has worn off.
- Whiplash is an acceleration-deceleration injury that can affect your ligaments, spinal discs, muscles, and facet joints
- There is often a period of little to no pain before the symptoms become worse
- Symptoms of whiplash include neck or back pain, headache, radiating pain, confusion, and difficulty sleeping
It’s smart to get a complete evaluation after an auto accident to minimize your risk of long-term pain. Getting the right care at the right time can make a big difference in your ability to heal quickly and avoid long-term chronic pain. Remember, even small accidents can cause injuries, so if you’ve been involved in an auto accident, be sure to reach out to our office as soon as possible so we can help you get on the relief road.
How Long Does Whiplash Last?
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, back pain, headaches, dizziness, or confusion—none of which sound like a good time. So if you’ve been involved in a car accident, you may be wondering how long these symptoms are going to last. The good news is that with a proper evaluation and early treatment, you have a high likelihood of getting well within a matter of weeks.
Ligament Tearing
One of the most common injuries associated with whiplash is ligament tearing. Ligaments are short, tough bands of connective tissue that hold together the bones in your neck and joints of your body. If these ligaments are torn, it can cause neck pain. The average time it takes a ligament to heal is about six weeks with the proper care and treatment. If you notice symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or memory issues, you may have suffered a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). A majority of people with a mild TBI recover within three months.
- Whiplash injuries frequently cause tearing of the ligaments that support proper spinal motion and stability
- The acute inflammatory phase of injury lasts up to 72 hours, the repair phase takes up to 6 weeks, and the remodeling phase of healing can last up to a year
- A non-healed ligament injury can result in osteoarthritis
After an accident, the most important step you can take is to receive a full evaluation. Only after a complete evaluation will you be able to know what type of injuries you’ve sustained, and, most importantly, how to get well. You would be surprised at how many people shrug off a “small” accident and push their symptoms aside. While that may save you a little time today, it’s likely to result in much more pain down the road.
Shoulder Pain After a Car Accident: What Does it Mean?
You may be surprised to learn that shoulder injuries are some of the most common challenges after a car accident, in addition to whiplash. If you are the driver and have your hands on the wheels at the time of the crash, the sudden force created by the accident can lead to a torn rotator cuff. Your shoulder is one of the most complex parts of your body and is made up of a collection of bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
The Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a ball-and-socket joint made up of three bones: the humerus (upper arm bone), scapula (shoulder blade), and clavicle (collarbone). The surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons work together to help you lift and rotate your arm while providing stability during movement. Because the shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, it is also more susceptible to injury during a car accident. Signs of a rotator cuff injury may include pain when lifting your arm, weakness, discomfort when lying on the affected side, or a limited range of motion. In some cases, however, similar arm or shoulder symptoms may actually be related to post-traumatic spinal disc dysfunction, particularly when a neck injury affects the nerves that travel into the shoulder and arm.
- Shoulder impingement (the pinching or rubbing together of tissues inside a joint) has been estimated to occur in up to 10% of people involved in car accidents
- The shoulder is one of the most complex, dynamic, and unstable joints in the body, with a complex network of bones, ligaments, and muscles
- The risk of neck or shoulder pain seven years after a collision was three times higher for patients with initial whiplash injuries than those without
Ignoring a shoulder injury after a car accident is rarely a good idea. Your shoulder is designed to move, and avoiding movement for too long can increase the risk of developing a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. This condition occurs when the shoulder becomes increasingly stiff as adhesions develop, often resulting in significant discomfort and a lengthy recovery. If you’re experiencing shoulder pain after an accident, early evaluation and appropriate care can make a meaningful difference. Our team can develop a personalized recovery plan—including therapies designed to restore post-accident mobility and movement—so you can recover safely and return to your normal activities with confidence.
Finding Relief After a Car Accident without Drugs or Surgery
Screech! Bam! Uh-oh! You’ve been involved in a car accident. Your day has been thrown upside down, and a million thoughts are racing through your head. If you don’t feel immediate pain, you may be tempted to think you don’t have a problem. But waiting too long to seek care has been shown to increase the chances that you’ll need more aggressive interventions. Taking the right action steps as quickly as possible after a car accident can make a huge difference in your overall health and healing. With the stress of an accident, calling the insurance company, getting a car repaired, etc., it’s not uncommon for people to make the mistake of putting their health and well-being last on their to-do list.
Don't Wait to Get Care
The problem is that the longer you wait to get evaluated and receive care, the higher your likelihood becomes of needing more aggressive medical care. Without a proper diagnosis and treatment, your body may begin to “heal” with more scar tissue than necessary. You may also try to live “around” your injuries, which can cause additional stress and compensation on other parts of your body and lead to additional injuries. Research has shown that active care involving range of motion, mobilizing exercises, and strengthening can effectively reduce pain. To give yourself the best chance to find relief without the need for drugs or surgery, we recommend three simple steps.
Next Steps
Recovering after a car accident is about more than simply waiting for pain to fade—it’s about helping your body regain healthy movement, function, and resilience. Every collision affects people differently, which is why a personalized evaluation is an important first step toward understanding your injuries and determining the most appropriate path forward.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we combine movement-based rehabilitation with individualized approaches such as upper cervical accident recovery care to support healthy nervous system function, improve mobility, and encourage long-term recovery. Whether your symptoms began immediately or developed days after your accident, taking action early can help you return to the activities you enjoy with greater confidence.
By focusing on evaluation, personalized care, and consistency, you’ll give your body the best opportunity to recover and support your long-term health.
Common questions
Even low-speed collisions can place unexpected forces on the body. Some symptoms may not appear immediately, so it’s important to monitor how you feel in the hours and days following an accident and seek appropriate evaluation if symptoms develop.
Your body’s initial response to a collision can temporarily mask discomfort through the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones. As those effects wear off, symptoms such as stiffness, headaches, soreness, or reduced mobility may become more noticeable.
Common symptoms may include neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder discomfort, dizziness, stiffness, numbness, tingling, or reduced range of motion. Every person’s experience is different, and symptoms can vary depending on the nature of the collision.
Many people include chiropractic care as part of a comprehensive recovery plan after a car accident. Personalized care may help support healthy movement, joint function, and overall recovery based on each individual’s injuries and symptoms.
If you experience persistent discomfort, worsening symptoms, limited mobility, or neurological symptoms after a collision, it’s important to seek an appropriate medical evaluation as soon as possible. Early assessment can help identify injuries and guide your recovery plan.
Don't Ignore the Effects of an Accident
Even a seemingly minor car accident can leave your body dealing with stress that isn't always immediately noticeable. If you're experiencing ongoing neck pain, headaches, stiffness, reduced mobility, or other symptoms after a collision, a personalized evaluation can help you better understand your options and develop a plan that supports your recovery.
At Sound Corrections Chiropractic, we focus on helping patients recover through individualized, recovery-focused care designed around their unique injuries, symptoms, and health goals.
Ready to take the next step? Get started with care today.
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