Whiplash

Whiplash is typically caused by sudden acceleration and deceleration of the body.

This may occur during:

• Car accidents
• Sudden stops or impacts
• Sports-related collisions

The force involved can affect how the neck moves and how tension develops afterward.

Symptoms of whiplash may not always appear immediately.

You may notice:

• Neck stiffness or reduced movement
• Pain when turning or moving your head
• Headaches, especially at the base of the skull
• Tension in the shoulders or upper back
• Discomfort that increases over time

In some cases, symptoms may develop hours or days after the incident.

After a sudden impact, the body may not respond right away.

Adrenaline and initial muscle tension can mask discomfort in the moment. As the body settles, symptoms may become more noticeable.

This is why changes in how you feel or move may be worth paying attention to, even if they seem minor at first.

Care is based on how your body is presenting after the incident and what is observed during assessment.

This may include:

• Looking at neck and upper back movement
• Assessing posture and positioning
• Identifying areas of tension or restriction
• Observing how movement changes over time

This helps guide care based on your current stage rather than following a fixed approach.

Depending on your needs, care may include a combination of approaches.

This may involve:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Soft tissue techniques
• Movement-based support
• Posture-focused strategies

Each approach is selected based on what is relevant to your situation.

It may be helpful to have your neck assessed if you have experienced a sudden impact and are noticing:

• Stiffness or reduced movement
• Headaches or tension
• Discomfort that is increasing over time
• Symptoms that were not present immediately

An assessment can help identify how your body has been affected and whether any areas need further attention.

Your visit will focus on understanding what happened and what is showing up during assessment.

This may include:

• Reviewing your symptoms and history
• Assessing movement and areas of concern
• Discussing options for care

We will walk you through what we find and your options so you can decide what feels right for you.

If you have experienced a sudden impact and are noticing symptoms of whiplash, we can help assess how your body has been affected and what your next steps may be.