When you are involved in a car accident, many people experience neck pain, either right away or within a couple of days or weeks of the accident. You may feel acute pain for two or three days, and swelling may occur in the injured tissue. You may see the swelling, or you may not, as it is under the skin. Healing is often a slow process, but the pain will reduce gradually.

Pain is not always a sharp stabbing feeling. This pain could be just a stiffness of the neck or shoulders, or it could be more severe. Symptoms of neck pain could consist of deep pain in the shoulders or arms. You may experience a tingling feeling, as if your arm or hand fell asleep and is constantly “waking up”. You may even experience headaches. You may not recognize it as coming from the neck pain, as it could be a continuous feeling, or come only when you turn your head or neck in certain positions. It may come on stronger if you turn your head a certain way like looking up or down? You might also only be able to turn your head and neck a little ways in one direction because it is so stiff.

If you have tried home remedies such as stopping the things that cause you pain, icing the affected area, relaxing, and taking pain medications and these have not worked, it may be time for a doctor’s help. Chiropractors can be a big help in alleviating your neck, shoulder, and upper back pain by adjusting and aligning the spine. The neck pain may not be resolved after one treatment session with a chiropractor. The length of your chiropractic care will be determined by the chiropractor with an exam and x-rays if clinically necessary. In extreme cases, surgery may be avoided through chiropractic care with spinal adjustments. Contact a chiropractor as soon as possible following an accident. The consultation is usually complimentary.