Whiplash
Felt fine at the scene but stiff two days later? That is common after a car accident, and it is worth getting checked.
Understanding Whiplash
Whiplash happens when the head is thrown quickly backwards and forwards, most often in a rear-end car accident, but also in falls, contact sport or even a heavy wave. The sudden movement can strain the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck and upper back before your body has time to brace.
Symptoms often don't appear straight away. Adrenaline can mask pain at the time, and stiffness and soreness commonly build over the next day or two. You might notice a stiff, sore neck, headaches starting at the base of the skull, pain between the shoulder blades, or aching that spreads into the shoulders.
Most whiplash-type injuries improve over the following weeks, and staying gently active usually helps. A careful assessment early on makes sure nothing more serious has been missed and gives you a clear plan for getting moving again. Recovery time varies a lot from person to person.
Common symptoms
- Neck pain and stiffness after a car accident, fall or sudden jolt
- Pain that appeared or worsened a day or two after the incident
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Pain or tightness between the shoulder blades
- Reduced ability to turn your head
- Aching across the shoulders or upper back
How chiropractic may help
We begin with a thorough history of the incident and a careful examination, including neurological tests. If anything suggests a fracture, nerve damage or another serious injury, we refer you for imaging or to your GP before starting any hands-on care. When chiropractic care is appropriate, we keep it gentle in the early stages. Care may include low-force adjusting of the neck and upper back, soft tissue work to ease muscle guarding, and simple exercises to restore movement. We increase activity gradually as your neck settles, because getting moving again is an important part of recovery. Results vary between individuals.
What to expect at Banora Chiropractic
At your first visit we'll go through how the accident happened, what you felt at the time and how things have changed since. We'll examine your neck, upper back and nervous system, explain what we find, and talk you through a plan. If you're making a CTP or insurance claim, bring your claim number and any paperwork you have. Your insurer or solicitor can guide you on the claim itself; our focus is on assessing and caring for your injury. If you have severe pain, numbness or weakness in your arms, or you were knocked out, see your GP or go to the emergency department first.
Get Help With Whiplash
Book an assessment and let us help you understand what is going on.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Whiplash
Whiplash care near you
Our clinic is at 2/44 Greenway Drive, Tweed Heads South NSW 2486. We see patients from across the Tweed Coast and southern Gold Coast, including:
Struggling with whiplash?
You do not have to just put up with it. Book an assessment and let us help you understand your options.
