05/20/2026
Whiplash is a lot more than “just neck pain.” After a car accident, the cervical spine goes through a rapid acceleration-deceleration motion that can strain muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and surrounding nerves in a matter of milliseconds.
One of the biggest things I see in practice is that symptoms don’t always show up immediately. Patients may feel okay at first, then develop neck stiffness, headaches, shoulder tension, dizziness, or arm symptoms over the next 24–72 hours.
Every case is different, which is why understanding the mechanism of injury and doing a thorough evaluation matters.
Early treatment focused on mobility, stability, soft tissue work, and restoring normal function can make a huge difference in recovery.
