What Causes Neck Pain After a Car Accident?

Why Your Neck Hurts After a Car Accident

Even low-speed car accidents can produce a surprising amount of force—and your neck often takes the brunt of it. When the head is thrown forward and then snapped backward, it strains the soft tissues in your cervical spine, causing what’s commonly known as whiplash.

This kind of injury affects the muscles, joints, and discs in your neck. Symptoms don’t always show up right away. You might feel fine initially, only to experience stiffness, headaches, or dizziness hours—or even days—later.

If you’ve been in a car wreck in Kansas City, Prairie Village, Raytown, or Lenexa, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse. Early evaluation by a chiropractor experienced in auto injuries can make all the difference.

Signs Your Neck Pain Could Be Serious

After a car accident, watch for symptoms like:

• Achy or sharp neck pain

• Headaches, especially near the base of the skull

• Pain radiating into the shoulders or arms

• Tingling or numbness

• Trouble turning your head

• Blurred vision, dizziness, or fatigue

These signs could point to damage in the muscles, discs, or facet joints—the small joints in your neck that help you move and stabilize your head.

What Are Facet Joint Injuries?

Facet joints connect the bones in your spine and help your neck bend and rotate. After a crash, these joints can become irritated or inflamed, leading to pain that feels deep and persistent.

While X-rays help rule out fractures, more advanced imaging—like MRI or CT scans—can reveal soft tissue damage or swelling around the joints. In some cases, chiropractors may work with other providers to perform diagnostic injections to pinpoint which joint is responsible for your pain.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

As a Kansas City chiropractor who focuses on car accident injuries, I work with patients every day who suffer from neck pain after a collision.

Treatment may include:

• Spinal adjustments to restore motion

• Soft tissue therapy to reduce inflammation

• Targeted stretching or mobility exercises

• Vestibular rehab for accident-related dizziness

• Coordination with physical therapists if needed

The goal is to relieve pain naturally—without relying on medication—and restore proper function to the neck and upper spine.

Your Injury May Qualify for Compensation

If your neck pain stems from a car accident, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. To protect your case:

• Seek prompt chiropractic care

• Keep all documentation and records

• Note any changes in symptoms

• Track time missed from work

A qualified personal injury attorney in Kansas City can help you navigate the legal process, while your medical team provides support under a lien-based agreement—so there’s no upfront cost for care.

Neck Pain After a Crash? We Can Help

If you’re dealing with neck pain, stiffness, or dizziness after a car wreck, don’t wait. These symptoms often signal deeper issues—like whiplash or joint damage—that respond best to early treatment.

Visit our auto injury chiropractic clinic in Kansas City to get evaluated and start feeling better. We proudly serve patients from Independence, Lee’s Summit, Lenexa, and throughout the metro area.

Been in an Accident? Start Here.

Call us today for a free consultation or with any questions.

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