Is your neck still sore and stiff after a sudden jolt?
Maybe it began with a fender bender, a fall or a hard hit on the field. Days later your neck is tight, your head aches and checking over your shoulder feels like a chore. You do not have to simply wait it out. Our doctors begin with a close look at the upper neck, where the head meets the spine, and build gentle care around what they find.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a quick back-and-forth movement of the head, like the crack of a whip. It is best known from car accidents, but falls, contact sports and rough play can cause it too. The muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck are stretched past their usual range, and symptoms can appear right away or a day or two later.
After any accident or hard fall, see a medical doctor or go to the emergency room first to rule out a broken bone or other serious injury.
Common signs include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Aching in the shoulders and upper back
- Dizziness or a feeling of being off balance
- Trouble concentrating or sleeping
- Tingling or heaviness in the arms
- Rear-end and side-impact car collisions
- Slips, trips and falls
- Tackles and collisions in contact sports
- Bicycle and scooter crashes
- A blow to the head or shoulders
What causes whiplash?
Whiplash happens when the head is thrown forward and back faster than the neck can brace for it. Common sources include:
The atlas (C1) and axis (C2), the top two vertebrae, allow most of the head’s turning and tilting, so upper cervical chiropractors look there closely after a neck injury. Small shifts in how they sit may add to stiffness and headaches that linger.
How upper cervical care can help
Once a medical doctor has ruled out a fracture or other serious injury, upper cervical care may be a helpful next step. We begin with a careful exam of your neck, posture and nerve function. Depending on what the doctor finds, that may include 3D imaging with our Cone Beam CT (CBCT) scanner to see how the upper cervical spine is sitting after the injury.
From there, your care plan is built around your own findings. Our adjustments are gentle, with no twisting, cracking or popping, which matters when your neck is already sore. Our goal is to help your neck move more freely and your headaches settle as the upper neck is supported, at a pace your body is ready for.
Gentle for a sore neck
Whiplash leaves the tissues of the neck irritated. Our adjustments use light, precise contact, so care stays comfortable while your neck settles.
Imaging when it helps
The doctor decides what imaging, if any, each person needs. When a 3D scan fits, it shows how the atlas and axis sit after the jolt.
Beyond the stiff neck
Headaches, dizziness and shoulder tension often travel with whiplash. We look at how your upper neck, posture and nerve function may be linked to them.
Alongside your medical team
If you are also seeing your primary care provider or a physical therapist, we are glad to work alongside them as you recover.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with whiplash, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Carpal Tunnel
- Shoulder Pain
- Hip Pain
- Knee Pain
- Numbness & Tingling
- Sports Injuries
- Auto Accident Injuries
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.