After the crash, help getting back in line.

Even a low-speed collision can leave your neck and back hurting for weeks.¹ We evaluate what the impact did, document it carefully, and use gentle, low-force techniques (no forceful cracking required) as part of an active recovery plan — combined with movement and at-home exercises to help you get back to normal activity².

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See the signs

At a glance

Delayed symptoms

Common — pain often shows up hours or days later, not at the scene¹

Coverage

In Washington, care is often covered by PIP, frequently with no referral needed

Best next step

Get evaluated soon after the accident, even if you feel mostly okay

The basics

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused when the head is suddenly whipped back and forth — most often in a car accident. The rapid motion strains the soft tissues, joints, and ligaments of the neck faster than they can brace for it.¹

Right after a crash, adrenaline and shock can mask what your body is feeling, so it’s common to walk away thinking “I feel fine.” Then a day or two later the neck stiffens, headaches set in, or turning to check a mirror suddenly hurts. That delay is normal — inflammation and muscle guarding build over time¹. Getting evaluated early matters for two reasons: it means starting gentle movement and active care soon after the injury — rather than resting or keeping the neck in a collar — is associated with better recovery and a lower chance of lingering neck pain and stiffness³, and it puts a clear, dated record of your injury on file from the start — which can matter a great deal if an insurance claim is involved.

The signs

What whiplash tends to feel like.

Neck stiffness and soreness, often worse the morning after
Headaches that start at the base of the skull⁴
Reduced range of motion — hard to turn or tilt your head

Dizziness or a foggy, hard-to-focus feeling⁵
Tingling or numbness into the shoulder or arm¹
Delayed onset — symptoms surfacing hours or days later

These are common patterns, not a diagnosis. Severe pain, weakness, or symptoms after a serious impact should be evaluated urgently — if anything feels alarming, seek emergency medical care first, then let us help with your recovery.

Where it starts

What’s actually causing it.

Rapid acceleration–deceleration

The impact throws your head back and then forward in a fraction of a second — faster than your neck muscles can catch it. Even a low-speed bump can generate enough force to injure⁶.

Soft-tissue & ligament strain

Muscles and the ligaments that stabilize your neck get overstretched in the whip motion. The result is inflammation, guarding, and the soreness that often builds over the following days.¹

Joint restriction

After a whiplash injury, the small joints of the cervical spine (facet joints) are a common source of ongoing neck stiffness and headaches that can persist even after the initial soreness fades.⁷

Our approach

Gentle care, from the first visit forward.

We take auto injuries one careful step at a time — understand what happened, calm things down, then rebuild the motion so you’re not left with lingering stiffness.

Evaluate & document

We look at how your neck and back are moving, listen to what happened, and record clear, dated notes on your findings — a record that supports both your recovery and any claim.

Gentle low-force + cold laser

Gentle, low-force adjustments aim to improve joint motion and function, and cold laser (low-level laser) therapy may help reduce pain in irritated soft tissue.⁸ Comfortable enough for a freshly injured neck.

Restore & prevent

As things settle, active rehabilitation — range-of-motion and strengthening exercises and staying active — can help restore neck mobility and strength and support recovery. Most people improve within a few months, though recovery varies from person to person.⁹

Auto & whiplash injury, specifically

Questions after a car accident

Will my care be covered after a car accident?

In Washington, auto-injury care is commonly covered by PIP — personal injury protection — which is part of most auto policies and typically pays regardless of who was at fault. Every policy is different, so we’ll help you understand your coverage and handle the paperwork on our end. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice; your insurer or attorney can confirm the specifics of your policy.

How soon after the accident should I come in?

As soon as you reasonably can — ideally within the first few days, even if you feel mostly fine. Whiplash symptoms often show up later, and getting evaluated early lets us start gentle care before things tighten up and creates a clear, dated record of your injury from the start.

Do I need a referral to be seen for an auto injury?

Generally no. Under Washington PIP, care is often available with no referral needed — you can usually book directly with us. If your particular plan or situation requires something specific, we’ll let you know when you call.

I already saw a doctor at the ER — can I still come to you?

Yes. Emergency care rules out anything serious right after the crash; ongoing chiropractic care is a different piece of the recovery. Many patients come to us after an ER or urgent-care visit to work on the stiffness, restricted motion, and headaches that follow a whiplash injury.¹⁰

Is the adjustment safe if my neck is already hurt?

Dr. Marrone favors gentle, low-force techniques for a recently injured neck. After we screen for any serious injury, this well-tolerated approach — used alongside gentle exercise and other supportive care — may help ease pain and restore comfortable movement.¹¹ We always start by evaluating what you can comfortably tolerate and adjust the plan to you. We can’t promise a specific outcome, but the whole approach is built around comfort and steady progress.

Been in an accident? Let’s take a look.

Book a free consultation and we’ll walk you through your recovery and your coverage — no pressure, no obligation.