Whiplash is a modern condition and very often diagnosed after a rear-end auto collision. Injuries to the neck caused by the sudden movement of the head, backward, forward or sideways, are referred to as “Whiplash."  Many whiplash injuries occur when a car is stopped and occupants are unaware that they are about to be hit from behind.

Most cases of whiplash are minor and heal within a few weeks with the proper care. Unfortunately, a small number of patients—about 20 to 30% of whiplash cases—become chronic and lead to a long-term discomfort. The classic symptoms of whiplash are headache, dizziness, neck, shoulder, jaw and/or arm pain.

There was a study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine that stated that 93 patients with chronic whiplash symptoms were divided into three groups based upon the nature and severity of the symptoms. Each patient received an average of 19.3 chiropractic adjustments over a four-month period.

Results showed that two of the three groups (patients with neck pain, restricted neck range of motion and/or neurological symptoms) improved under chiropractic care, with 85.5% reporting “some benefit”, 33.5% improving by two symptom grades, and 31% being relieved of all symptoms. The authors of this study concluded that when caring for whiplash, “chiropractic is the only proven effective treatment."