What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury to the neck caused by rapid, forceful back-and-forth movement — most commonly from rear-end car accidents. Pittsburgh's congested roads, including Route 28, Penn Avenue, and the Parkway East, make auto accidents a daily occurrence. The sudden acceleration-deceleration force can strain or tear the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the cervical spine, and may also affect the discs, facet joints, and nerve roots.
Common whiplash symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness — often worsening in the 24–72 hours after the accident
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, upper back, and arm pain
- Numbness or tingling in the arms
- Dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating
- Jaw pain (TMJ involvement)
- In severe cases: memory problems, irritability, and sleep disturbance
Whiplash Treatment at Pittsburgh Physical Medicine
Prompt, appropriate treatment is the single most important factor in whiplash recovery. Our coordinated chiropractic and physical therapy approach includes:
- Cervical chiropractic adjustment — to restore joint mobility and reduce nerve irritation in the neck
- Soft tissue mobilization — to address the muscle and ligament damage from the impact
- Graston technique (IASTM) — for stubborn cervical soft tissue restrictions
- Manual physical therapy — Dr. Crockatt's specialized hands-on approach to whiplash rehabilitation
- Cervical stabilization exercises — rebuilding neck strength to support long-term recovery
- Personal injury documentation — we provide thorough clinical records that support any personal injury case
Why You Shouldn't Wait After a Car Accident
Research shows that patients who receive early chiropractic and physical therapy treatment after whiplash have significantly better outcomes than those who wait. Untreated whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain, headaches, and restricted mobility that persists for years. If you've been in a car accident — even a minor one — call Pittsburgh Physical Medicine today. We offer same-week appointments for accident patients and accept auto insurance.