What whiplash is
Whiplash is a neck injury from the sudden back-and-forth "snap" of your head in a crash — most often a rear-end collision. The rapid motion overstretches the muscles, ligaments, and joints in your neck faster than they can brace for it. Doctors call it a cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) injury, or WAD (whiplash-associated disorder).
You don't need a high-speed crash to get it. Whiplash shows up after low-speed "fender benders" all the time — and because adrenaline masks the pain, many people feel fine at the scene and only stiffen up the next morning.
Symptoms we check for
General education — not a diagnosis. We evaluate first.
- Neck pain, stiffness, or trouble turning your head
- Headache, often starting at the base of the skull
- Pain or tightness across the shoulders and upper back
- Dizziness or a "foggy" feeling
- Numbness or tingling down an arm
- Symptoms that started 24–72 hours after the crash, not right away
If any of these sound like you, get checked this week — even if it feels minor now.
Why a same-week exam matters
Insurers and attorneys both look at the gap between your crash and your first visit. The longer you wait, the easier it is for an adjuster to argue your neck pain wasn't from the accident. A prompt exam puts what hurts — and when it started — into the record, in plain language, while it's still clearly tied to the crash.
We don't promise outcomes. We tell you what we see, in writing.
How we treat whiplash
Every plan starts with an exam. Then we use the tools that fit your injury — and skip what you don't need:
- Gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore neck movement
- Soft-tissue work and therapeutic stretching for tight, guarded muscles
- Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and moist heat to calm spasm and pain
- Mechanical traction when the exam points to disc or nerve irritation
- Simple at-home exercises to keep your recovery going between visits
If the exam shows something outside our scope, we say so and refer you to the right provider.
What this costs you
Most whiplash patients pay $0 at the visit. If your Minnesota no-fault (PIP) is active, we verify benefits and bill your auto insurer directly. Working with an attorney? We bill on lien when appropriate. No coverage? We tell you a transparent number before you book.
Schedule your free consultation
Leave your name and number and we'll call to lock in your free consultation during business hours (Mon–Fri 9a–12p & 2–6p). After hours, we follow up the next morning. Your information stays with the clinic.
⏱ Typical response time during business hours: 1–2 hours. In a hurry? Call (651) 202-3178 directly.