Whiplash Relief in Austin
Whiplash is one of those injuries that often gets brushed off until the stiffness, headaches, or “why does my neck still feel weird?” moments don’t go away. It can start after a car accident, a sports hit, a fall, or even a quick jolt you barely thought twice about. With the right approach, your body can recover, and you don’t have to just push through the discomfort.
Why Whiplash Varies from Person to Person
Whiplash isn’t a single, predictable injury. It’s a rapid stretch and strain to the neck’s soft tissues and joints, which may irritate muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves. Some people feel pain right away. Others feel “fine” at first, then symptoms show up hours or days later. One person may experience neck tightness and reduced range of motion, while another may struggle with headaches at the base of the skull, jaw tension, dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty focusing. The same event can lead to very different symptoms, depending on posture, prior injuries, muscle tone, and how the body absorbed the force.
Recognizing Symptoms That Can Follow Whiplash
Whiplash can cause a range of symptoms that come and go or accumulate over time. Many patients notice neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder or upper back tension, jaw discomfort, lightheadedness, fatigue, and a general “off” feeling. If your sleep changes, your focus feels fuzzy, or you’re guarding movement because it hurts, those details matter and help shape your plan.
Other Common Causes of Whiplash
Rear-end collisions are the classic cause, but they’re not the only one. Whiplash can occur after contact sports (football, soccer, hockey, martial arts), falls, biking incidents, sudden stops during travel, some workplace injuries, and even activities involving a sudden jolt. Low-impact events can still trigger symptoms if the neck wasn’t braced for the force, or if the tissues were already strained from posture and repetitive stress.
How We Evaluate Whiplash Before Care Begins
Your first visit at Motion Chiropractic with our PJ chiropractor is focused on getting clear answers. We’ll review the incident, your symptoms, and any changes since it happened. Then we’ll assess posture, range of motion, joint mobility, muscle tone, and how the neck and upper back are functioning as a unit. We also look for patterns that suggest other areas may be contributing, such as the jaw, shoulders, or mid-back. If your presentation indicates you need imaging or co-management with another provider, we’ll let you know directly.
Care That Matches Your Stage of Healing
Whiplash care should be tailored to your current condition, not to where someone else was at week two or week six. Some patients need a lighter approach early on, while others benefit from more targeted joint and soft tissue work as healing progresses. Dr. Hamvay uses the TTAPs approach, a blend that may include chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy, and reflexology, to match care to your presentation and goals. Plans are explained clearly, adjusted as you respond, and designed to restore motion while easing irritation.
Take the Next Step
If you’re dealing with lingering neck pain, headaches, or stiffness after an injury, help is available. Call us today or book online to schedule an appointment in Austin.
