Being in a car accident can cause immediate and delayed neck pain symptoms. Even low-impact collisions can result in whiplash injuries and other trauma to the delicate structures of your neck. Read on to learn more about the common post-accident causes of neck pain and how chiropractic care from our chiropractors in Stillwater, OK can help.

Common Injuries

• Whiplash: Whiplash is one of the most frequent causes of neck pain after an auto accident. It occurs when the force of the crash causes your head to suddenly jerk back and forth, stretching the muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range. This overstretching results in inflammation, spasms, and pain.
• Intervertebral Joint Sprains: The vertebrae in your neck are cushioned and separated by small joints called intervertebral joints. When your body jolts rapidly in a collision, these joints can become sprained. The injured ligaments swell and become painful.
• Herniated Discs: The impact of a crash applies great stress to the discs between your vertebrae. This can cause a disc to rupture or herniate, allowing the gel-like contents to leak out. A herniated disc in the neck area can irritate nearby nerves and cause severe pain.
• Pinched Nerves: After a wreck, injured structures in the spine can shift and put pressure on nerves. This nerve compression or pinching results in symptoms like numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and radiating pain into the shoulders and arms.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Chiropractors use gentle techniques called adjustments to realign the joints of the spine after injury. This relieves pressure on pinched nerves, allowing discs to heal and reducing pain signals. Other therapies like massage, ice/heat, and electric stimulation may supplement the adjustments.

Seek Care Quickly

Don’t wait to seek help if you experience neck pain after an accident. Early chiropractic treatment can often prevent chronic issues. The sooner you start to care, the faster you can begin to feel like yourself again.

Addressing Accident Injuries

Our chiropractors have specialized training in treating post-collision injuries. We conduct a thorough exam, order imaging if needed, and create a customized care plan. Your treatment may include:

• Spinal adjustments to improve mobility and decrease pain
• Soft tissue techniques to relax strained muscles
• Rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and range of motion
• Advice on maintaining good posture and neck health

Schedule Your Appointment Today

We're here to assist you in your recovery at Advanced Chiropractic & Wellness in Stillwater, OK. Call us at (405) 533-1511 today to schedule your initial exam with a chiropractor near you.