Dealing With Whiplash
Watch: What Whiplash Does to Your Neck
What is Whiplash and Why It Happens
The structure of your neck includes seven vertebrae cushioned by discs and supported by ligaments and muscles. Because your neck is highly flexible, it's also vulnerable to overextension.
Whiplash refers to a forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, often caused by rear-end auto collisions. When these soft tissues stretch beyond their limit, much like a fraying rope, pain and dysfunction follow.
Auto Accidents: The #1 Cause of Whiplash in Mt. Pleasant
Auto accidents are the leading cause of whiplash injuries.
Up to 83% of people involved in car accidents experience some form of whiplash — even at speeds under 5 MPH.
You don’t need to see visible damage to your vehicle to suffer an injury. Many Mt. Pleasant whiplash patients experience lasting neck and upper back pain despite “minor” collisions.
Other Common Causes of Whiplash Injuries
Additional risk factors include:
- Wet or icy roads
- Poor headrest positioning
- Head turned at the moment of impact
- Age-related muscle loss
- Pre-existing arthritis
- Gender (females statistically have a higher risk)
Symptoms of Whiplash: Immediate or Delayed?
Symptoms often include:
- Neck pain (dull or sharp)
- Shoulder and upper back pain
- Tension headaches
- Dizziness and balance issues
- Jaw/TMJ pain
- Numbness or tingling in arms or face
Some symptoms appear immediately. Others may take hours or days to develop.
Severe signs like confusion, slurred speech, or vision changes should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.
Whiplash Sprains, Strains, and Long-Term Effects
Whiplash often causes sprain/strain injuries, where soft tissue is replaced by less elastic scar tissue. This can lead to:
- Persistent neck pain
- Joint stiffness
- Increased risk of arthritis
- Reduced mobility
Over 50% of patients injured in an auto accident report ongoing pain a year later.
Recovery & Physical Therapy for Whiplash and Back Pain
Recovery after whiplash depends on early intervention. Our chiropractic team in Mt. Pleasant may recommend a combination of:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Physical therapy for low back pain or mid-back pain
- Manual therapy and trigger point work
- At-home stretching or posture correction exercises
We also guide you on how to ease back into your daily routine. Avoid over-restricting movement — doing too little can be just as harmful as overdoing it.
Looking for info on how long physical therapy takes for lower back pain related to whiplash? Recovery timelines vary, but early treatment often leads to faster, more complete healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whiplash symptoms may begin immediately or develop over several hours or days. Common signs include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and pain that radiates to your shoulders or back. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms after a car accident in Mt. Pleasant, it's important to schedule an evaluation right away.
The best treatment depends on the severity of your injury. At Patriots Point Chiropractic, we often combine chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and personalized rehab plans to relieve pain and restore function. We’ll tailor your care to include targeted therapies for neck pain, back pain, shoulder dysfunction, and more.
Recovery time varies based on injury severity and how soon treatment begins. Some patients feel relief within a few sessions, while others may need several weeks. Our Mt. Pleasant team creates a customized physical therapy plan for your low back pain, whiplash, or any related injuries to help you recover efficiently and safely.
