Neck pain after a crash can be whiplash, but the first job is ruling out something worse. Trouble breathing, weakness, numbness or a head injury with danger signs need 911. Whiplash symptoms can take days to start, so get checked soon after any crash. A comprehensive evaluation at our Towson clinic can follow any emergency care.
Emergency Care Comes First
Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a crash for serious pain or pressure in the neck, head or back, trouble breathing or a twisted neck or back. Do the same for weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, hands or feet, or lost bladder or bowel control. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.
Anyone with a head or neck injury needs medical attention right away. A spinal injury left without care can get worse.
Head injury danger signs that need 911
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Repeated nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech or seizures
- Growing confusion, or trouble staying awake
- One pupil larger than the other, or double vision
See a health care professional soon for
- Neck pain or stiffness, even if it seems minor
- A headache that starts at the base of the skull
- Pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
- Dizziness, tiredness or trouble focusing
Mayo Clinic's emergency symptoms of a spinal cord injury include trouble with balance and walking as well as the signs above.
What to Do First After a Crash
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Get help for anyone badly hurt
Call 911. Do not move someone who may have a back or neck injury. Basic first aid, such as stopping bleeding, can be done without moving the head or neck.
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Get checked soon, even if you feel all right
A quick diagnosis helps rule out broken bones and other damage that can cause or worsen symptoms.
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Watch for symptoms that start late
If neck pain or other symptoms appear after the crash, see a health care professional as soon as possible.
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Write down what happened
You may be asked how the crash happened, how bad the pain is, what makes it worse and when your symptoms began.
Understanding Car Accident Injuries
A crash can hurt the neck, back, joints and head, and some of those injuries are slow to show. Whiplash, broken bones, concussions and spinal cord injuries each need different care, which is why a diagnosis comes before any treatment.
A suspected fracture or spinal cord injury belongs in an emergency room, so go there first if you are not sure.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' page on neck sprains and strains says pain may not start until hours after the injury or even the next day, so get evaluated even if you feel fine.
Whiplash After a Car Accident
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the head snapping backward and then forward with force. That motion can damage muscles and other tissues in the neck. You may hear it called a neck sprain or strain, though those terms also cover other neck injuries.
Whiplash itself does not show on imaging tests. X-rays, CT scans or MRI can still be useful, because they can rule out other conditions that may be making your neck pain worse.
Mayo Clinic's page on whiplash symptoms and causes says symptoms most often start within days of the injury.
Symptoms After a Car Accident
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Pain that gets worse when you move your neck
- Less range of motion in the neck
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Tenderness in the shoulder, upper back or arms
- Tiredness or dizziness
- Blurred vision or trouble sleeping
- Trouble focusing, or memory problems
- Tingling or numbness in the arms, which needs emergency care
How a Crash Injures the Body
A rear-end impact
A hit from behind throws the head back and then forward, which is how whiplash most often happens.
Force on the bones
A collision can crack or break a bone, and the severity depends on the force behind it.
A jolt to the head
A bump, blow or jolt to the head can cause a concussion. Its signs may take hours or days to appear.
How We Treat Car Accident Injuries in Towson
Care after a crash starts with finding out what was hurt and whether you need care elsewhere first. Depending on your condition, our comprehensive evaluation may lead to a recommendation for one of these services.
Chiropractic
A chiropractor may evaluate whiplash after an accident. Care may include spinal manipulation, precise non-invasive adjustments and lifestyle advice.
Chiropractic Rehab
Targeted exercises may be part of care after an accident. Chiropractic assistants do this work.
To see if you are a candidate for gentle chiropractic treatment, the chiropractor carefully evaluates your condition. Orthopedic and neurologic testing is part of how numbness, tingling or weakness is carefully screened, to isolate the cause and the way your symptoms present.
Options After a Car Accident, Side by Side
Most of these happen outside our clinic, and the list is not complete. Ask your doctor about anything else.
| Option | What it involves | Who provides it |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency care | Imaging and treatment for broken bones, head injuries or spinal injuries. | An emergency room |
| Rest, heat or cold | Short rest with heat or cold on the neck. Too much bed rest may slow healing. | You, with advice from your doctor |
| Pain medicine | Over-the-counter medicine for milder pain, or a prescription for more severe pain. | Your doctor or pharmacist |
| Stretching and movement | Neck and shoulder exercises to restore range of motion. | You at home, or a therapist your doctor refers you to |
| A soft foam collar | Limits movement soon after the injury. Holding the neck still for long periods can weaken muscles, so ask how long to wear one. | Your doctor |
| Chiropractic adjustments | Hands-on work on the joints of the spine. | A chiropractor at this clinic, if recommended |
| Rehab exercises | Targeted exercises as part of a care plan. | At this clinic: chiropractic assistants. Elsewhere: ask your doctor |
Starting Care After a Crash
Our Towson clinic sees people after car accidents. New patients may start with a detailed intake. If an emergency room or your own doctor has already seen you, tell us what they found, since chiropractic care may be combined with other medical treatment. When the team cannot help with a problem, you may be referred to another provider.
Two I-695 Exits Close By
Exit 29 is about 0.6 to 0.7 miles from the clinic, and Exit 28 at Providence Rd is about 0.8 miles north. Joppa Road follows I-695 through this part of Towson, then on through Parkville and Carney.
Schedule a Visit After Your Accident
Bring a list of your symptoms, when each one started and any medicines you have taken for them. Please call the clinic with questions about cost or coverage.