Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs due to a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. This injury may affect your muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck. It’s super common, affecting millions of people in Canada and the rest of the world each year.
Most people dealing with whiplash will get better within a few weeks to a few months with proper treatment, depending on the severity and compliance with in-clinic and at-home care. If whiplash is not treated on time and appropriately, you may deal with long-term neck pain and other complications.
Whiplash? MYo Lab can help – schedule your visit today.
Meet our team of skilled professionals who wake up every day with a commitment to make a difference in your journey to wellness. Our Chiropractors, massage therapists, and physiotherapists work together to provide comprehensive care, ensuring that all aspects of your health and well-being are addressed.
“This is my go-to clinic when I injure myself, have tightness due to office work/postural issues or simply need a massage. The clinic is conveniently located in the heart of Kensington with several professionals under the same roof, who can treat you as a team so you don’t have to run around town to a multitude of appointments. My husband went to see them after a bad car-cycle accident and they took care of his whiplash injury in only a few weeks. They have the knowledge, technology and are so caring and pleasant to work with. Even the front desk staff is absolutely lovely, they also direct charge so you don’t have to worry about doing manual claims to your insurances or anything which is so convenient.”
Naomi L.
“Evan and team are attentive and deliberate in providing an outstanding client experience. The care I received for acute whiplash healed me from a condition that could have resulted in longterm chronic pain. I’ve been going here for a year and a half and have never had a disappointing experience.
If you have chronic pain, give MYo a try – they differ from most clinics by working closely together as a team. They will guide you to the forms of care (chiro, massage, physio, etc) that are most likely to help you.”
Troy B.
“While my first visit was over a year ago for an acute injury, I’ve been receiving treatments for the past six months with Dr. Evan and massage with Zack for an overuse and general neglect neck and shoulder pain and discomfort. I can say that while I’ve experienced many chiropractic, physiotherapy and massage therapy professionals over the years, MYo Lab are right up there with the best. They take the time to narrow in on the problem, and work as a true team to relieve it. Yes, there is work one must do on one’s own, but these guys are patient, professional and truly want patients to recover to their best self. Thankful to MYo Lab for their great work helping me back to where I want and need to be!”
Mark G.
Experience the difference – schedule your visit today.
Car Accidents: The most common car accident-related cause is rear-end collisions, where the impact forces the head to rapidly jerk forward and backward.
Sports Injuries: High-impact sports like football, rugby, hockey, skiing, snowboarding, or boxing can cause whiplash.
Physical Assault: Being hit in the face/head or shaken can lead to similar neck injuries.
Falls: Sudden falls where the head is violently thrown backward can cause whiplash.
Amusement Park Rides: Sudden stops or jolts in rides can lead to this injury.
Concussions: Did you know that 100% of concussionsalso have neck whiplash? Proper assessment, diagnosis, and intervention are critical to the sustainable resolution of related symptoms.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Symptoms can appear immediately after the injury but may also develop over a few days. They can range from mild to severe and typically include:
Neck Pain and Stiffness: Pain that may worsen with neck movement
Reduced Range of Motion: Difficulty moving your neck
Headaches: Often starting at the base of the skull
Shoulder Pain: Pain radiating to the shoulders and upper back
Tingling or Numbness: In the arms or hands
Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired
Dizziness: Sensation of spinning or lightheadedness
Blurred Vision: Temporary visual disturbances
Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus): Unusual ringing or buzzing sounds
Difficulty Concentrating: Problems with focus and memory
Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling or staying asleep
It’s important to see a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing neck pain or any whiplash symptoms, especially after an injury. This is to rule out the possibility of other complications.
How Chiropractors Treat Whiplash
At MYo Lab, we employ various techniques to treat whiplash, focusing on supporting the body’s natural healing processes, restoring normal function, and reducing pain.
In the early stages of whiplash treatment, our goal is to restore motion and reduce pain. That’s our first priority. The next step is to focus on neck stability and muscle endurance. We do this through a combination of manual care and exercise rehab, which means working with our Chiropractor, Physiotherapist, and Massage Therapist.
Here’s how it works:
Manual Chiropractic Adjustments: Our Chiropractors use controlled, high-velocity forces to adjust the joints of the spine, particularly the cervical (neck) region. This helps restore proper alignment, improve range of motion, and reduce pain and muscle tightness.
Massage Therapy: We use techniques such as deep tissue massage to relieve muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow.
Myofascial Release: This involves targeting specific muscle groups and fascia (connective tissue) to reduce stiffness and pain.
Therapeutic Exercises: Once we’ve addressed the acute pain, we like to move to light rehab to engage some of the injured and weaker muscles and re-establish strength.
Depending on the extent of your whiplash injury, our Chiropractors might recommend working with our Physiotherapist on stretching and strengthening exercises designed to improve flexibility and strengthen the neck and upper back muscles. This will help you recover and prevent future injuries.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): This is a non-invasive treatment that uses low-level lasers to reduce pain and inflammation, promote tissue repair, and enhance cellular function. LLLT can be particularly effective for soft tissue injuries, making it suitable for treating whiplash.
Acupuncture: To address the body’s pain and inflammatory process during these injuries, acupuncture can be a great adjunct to speed up the healing process safely.
Our Calgary Location
MYo Lab Health & Wellness is located at 227 10 St NW, Suite 300, Calgary, Alberta. It’s a short 5-minute walk from the Sunnyside C-Train station.
Parking: We offer 5 complimentary parking spots out back (spots 209, 213, 214, 215, 216). There are also several 2-hour paid parking spots on the streets around us. Additionally, there are two parking lots across the street from our building, one outdoor parking lot and one underground parking lot.
If you need further direction, feel free to call (403) 930-8686 for assistance.
Your healthcare provider will start by asking about the accident or incident that caused your symptoms, your medical history, and the symptoms you’re experiencing. They’ll perform a physical examination to check for pain, tenderness, and range of motion in your neck, shoulders, and back. They may also refer out for additional tests like MRIs and CT scans, if warranted.
Based on the results of these evaluations, your healthcare provider may determine the severity of your whiplash and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
How long does it take to recover from whiplash?
Your recovery will vary depending on the severity of the injury. For a typical whiplash injury, you can expect the recovery process to take up to 8 weeks. More severe cases may require a longer period for full recovery, while milder cases might heal more quickly.
Following a whiplash injury, muscles around the affected area tend to tighten as a protective response, limiting mobility to prevent further damage. Our focus here is to address mobility restrictions for these injuries. It’s important to rehabilitate the injured tissues as mobility improves. Specific exercises help restore strength, endurance, and proper motor patterns, essential for a complete recovery.
Rest and limit activities. Initially, rest is important to allow the injured tissues to heal. Avoid activities that strain the neck or could worsen your condition, such as heavy lifting or sudden neck movements.
Apply heat or ice. This can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to protect your skin, and apply it for about 15–20 minutes every few hours during the first 24-48 hours after the injury. It is often beneficial to alternate heat and ice, finishing with ice. Consult with your healthcare provider first.
Use neck support. In severe cases, this stabilises and supports the neck during the healing process. Speak with your Chiropractor before getting one.
How long does whiplash pain and discomfort last after a car accident?
The answer isn’t straightforward. Generally, a typical sprain/strain injury like whiplash lasts about 6–8 weeks, but car accidents can be unpredictable.
Factors like how fast the impact was, where it hit, any previous injuries you might have had, and what you do day-to-day—all play a big role in how long it takes to recover. In Alberta, for instance, after a car accident (so long as a Medical Claim is set up within 10 days of your accident), you might get up to 21 treatments over 90 days to help with recovery. But if it’s more complicated, you might need even more help and treatments.
Usually, the worst of the pain goes away in that time, but you might still find it hard to do some things like working out or lifting. Everyone’s different, so it’s important to get personalised advice from professionals who know about car accident injuries.
If you’re dealing with whiplash from a car accident, reaching out to experts who understand these kinds of injuries can really make a difference in your recovery.
How can I safely treat whiplash from home?
Pain can really affect your day-to-day life. You want relief ASAP. Here are some ways to get immediate whiplash relief at home:
Rest and limit activities. Initially, rest is important to allow the injured tissues to heal. Avoid activities that strain the neck or could worsen your condition, such as heavy lifting or sudden neck movements.
Apply heat or ice. This can help reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth or towel to protect your skin, and apply it for about 15–20 minutes every few hours during the first 24-48 hours after the injury. It’s often beneficial to alternate heat and ice, finishing with ice. Consult with your healthcare provider first.
Whiplash may lead to long-term issues for some people. While many recover fully within a few weeks or months, others might deal with ongoing problems. Here are some potential long-term issues:
Chronic neck pain that lasts beyond the usual recovery time
Limited neck movement
Headaches that keep coming back, often stemming from neck tension
Trouble focusing, which we sometimes refer to as “whiplash-associated disorders”
Sleep problems
Daily challenges associated with driving or working at a computer for longer periods
If you’re experiencing lingering symptoms from whiplash, it’s important to keep in touch with your healthcare professionals and/or your Physical Therapist and Chiropractor.
Is Chiropractic care safe for whiplash?
Yes, Chiropractic care is generally safe for treating whiplash. A Chiropractor will typically begin with a thorough evaluation to understand the extent of your whiplash injury. This may include a physical examination, reviewing your medical history, and possibly imaging studies like X-rays or MRI scans to rule out fractures or other serious injuries.
The treatment for whiplash often involves gentle manipulation or adjustments to help restore normal joint function, alleviate pain, and improve range of motion. We may also use additional techniques, such as soft tissue therapies, exercises, etc.
Can I continue my daily activities while recovering from whiplash?
Absolutely! It really depends on how you’re feeling and what your Chiropractor recommends. Generally, it’s good to listen to your body and avoid activities that worsen your symptoms. Taking it easy at first can help your neck heal faster. We might suggest modifying certain activities or taking breaks to avoid straining your neck. It’s important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms with us so we can adjust your recovery plan accordingly.
Should I see a Chiropractor immediately after a car accident?
You should definitely seek medical attention and connect with a reputable Chiropractor as soon as possible after a car accident, even if you don’t have immediate symptoms. Early intervention can help diagnose and treat whiplash effectively, preventing long-term complications.
Can whiplash occur at low speeds?
Yes, whiplash can definitely occur even at low speeds. It’s not just about how fast you’re going but also the suddenness and direction of impact. Even minor accidents, like rear-end collisions at low speeds, can cause enough force to jerk your neck suddenly forward and then backward, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck. It’s surprising how much force can be involved, so it’s always good to get checked out by a healthcare provider and Chiropractor if you’re experiencing any symptoms after even a minor accident.
