Work Injury & Whiplash Treatment
Car accidents and work injuries can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Many patients walk into our clinic feeling confused about their symptoms, unsure whether their pain is serious, or worried because discomfort keeps changing days or weeks after the incident.
At Graceful Pompano Beach Chiropractic, care begins with careful listening, thorough evaluation, and clear explanations so you understand what is happening in your body and why symptoms may appear or evolve over time. Dr. Michael Cohen often explains whiplash as the head and neck moving in “extension and flexion” in a way that can damage the supporting ligaments and irritate the nervous system.
Your care team includes Dr. Susan Lee and Dr. Julia Sopira as well, and the shared goal is simple: remove interference, support the nervous system, and let your body do what it’s designed to do.
Call (561) 264-7010 to book your complimentary consultation today.
What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is an injury that occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced forward and backward, most commonly during car accidents or sudden impact injuries at work.
This rapid movement places stress on the muscles, ligaments, joints, and nerves of the neck and upper spine. Even low-speed accidents can cause whiplash, and symptoms may not appear immediately.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury, meaning damage can occur even when X-rays show no fractures.
Common Car Accident and Work Injuries We Treat
In addition to whiplash, auto and work accidents can cause a range of musculoskeletal injuries, including:
- Neck strain and cervical joint injuries: These can limit motion and irritate sensitive tissues in the neck.
- Upper and lower back injuries: Trauma can leave the spine feeling stiff, guarded, or unstable.
- Shoulder and arm pain: Impact can strain joints and muscles, sometimes causing radiating discomfort.
- Disc irritation or bulging: Discs can become irritated after sudden force or repetitive stress.
- Headaches and dizziness: Neck and upper spine irritation can contribute to head and balance symptoms.
- Muscle spasms and stiffness: The body may tighten up to “protect” an injured area.
- Nerve irritation causing numbness or tingling: Irritated nerves can create pins-and-needles or reduced sensation.
Each injury affects the body differently, which is why proper evaluation is essential.
Symptoms of Whiplash
Whiplash symptoms can vary in intensity and timing. Common symptoms include:
- Neck pain and stiffness: Often worsens with movement or after activity.
- Reduced range of motion: Turning your head may feel limited or uncomfortable.
- Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull: Can feel like pressure or tension that builds.
- Shoulder or upper back pain: May show up as tightness, aching, or burning.
- Dizziness or balance issues: Some people feel “off” when moving or changing positions.
- Fatigue: Healing takes energy, and pain can drain you.
- Tingling or numbness in the arms: Nerve irritation can create sensory changes.
- Difficulty concentrating: Some people notice mental fog after injury.
Some patients feel symptoms immediately, while others notice them days or even weeks later.
Chiropractic Treatments for Whiplash and Work Injuries
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal movement and reducing stress on injured tissues. Treatment may include:
- Gentle spinal adjustments to restore joint motion: Dr. Cohen emphasizes gentle, specific corrections that avoid aggravating already-injured areas .
- Techniques to reduce muscle tension: Calming joint irritation can help the body ease guarding patterns over time.
- Support for strained ligaments and muscles: Care is chosen carefully to respect the injury and healing stage.
- Movement guidance to prevent stiffness: Small, safe movement strategies can help you stay mobile during recovery.
- Postural correction during recovery: Better positioning can reduce unnecessary strain while tissues heal.
All techniques are selected carefully based on the severity of injury and patient comfort.
Benefits of Chiropractic Whiplash Treatment
Chiropractic care supports recovery by addressing how the spine and surrounding tissues move after trauma. Benefits may include:
- Improved neck and spinal mobility: Restoring motion can help you move more naturally again.
- Reduced muscle guarding and stiffness: The body may feel less “locked up” as irritation settles.
- Support for nervous system function: A clearer brain-to-body connection matters for coordinated healing .
- Improved posture during healing: Good positioning can help reduce repeated strain.
- Lower risk of long-term movement limitations: Early, appropriate care can support safer recovery patterns.
Care focuses on function, stability, and long-term recovery rather than masking symptoms.
How Auto and Work Injuries Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis begins with a thorough evaluation at Graceful Pompano Beach Chiropractic. This may include:
- Detailed accident or injury history: We review what happened and what has changed since.
- Symptom review and timeline: You’ll talk through what you feel and when it shows up.
- Postural assessment: We look for protective patterns and imbalances after trauma.
- Range of motion testing: Motion helps us understand where the body is restricted or guarded.
- Muscle and joint evaluation: We assess joint movement and surrounding tissue response.
- Neurological screening: This helps identify signs of nerve irritation.
- Imaging when appropriate to assess alignment: In Dr. Cohen’s process, this can include CBCT and, for whiplash cases, flexion and extension neck images to check for ligament damage and hypermobility .
Dr. Cohen explains findings clearly so patients understand their condition and recovery plan.
Our Approach to Work Injury and Whiplash Treatment
Every auto or work injury is unique. Our approach is cautious, structured, and individualized. Care focuses on:
- Protecting injured tissues: Early care should respect the injury and avoid overloading sensitive areas.
- Restoring normal movement gradually: We build stability step by step, based on how your body responds.
- Preventing long-term stiffness or instability: Dr. Cohen often watches closely for hypermobility after whiplash .
- Supporting safe return to daily activities and work: The goal is to help you move with more confidence, not push through pain.
Treatment plans evolve as healing progresses, with ongoing evaluation to ensure safety and comfort.
Work Injury & Whiplash Patient Case Study
Patient info: Adult patient seeking care after a motor vehicle accident, looking for a careful evaluation and conservative support.
Symptoms: Neck-related symptoms consistent with whiplash concerns, with a need to assess stability and tissue strain after the incident.
Root cause analysis: Dr. Cohen evaluates the case using the clinic’s standard assessment and imaging approach, and for whiplash concerns, adds flexion and extension neck images to look for ligament damage and hypermobility .
Treatment plan: Care is designed to be gentle and specific, focusing on correcting the areas of subluxation without aggravating injured tissues . When hypermobility is present, Dr. Cohen may recommend more frequent care early on to help the body “stay in a proper position” during recovery .
Outcome, results: The patient receives clear explanations of findings and a structured plan focused on safe recovery, stability, and restoring function over time, with ongoing monitoring based on how the body responds to care.
Work Injury & Whiplash Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Work Injury & Whiplash Treatment Specialists in Pompano Beach
Dr. Michael Cohen has experience treating auto and work-related injuries in Pompano Beach, with an emphasis on careful diagnosis and gentle, specific corrections when tissues are already irritated .
Your care team may also include Dr. Susan Lee and Dr. Julia Sopira, who share the same root-cause focus and patient education approach. As Dr. Lee puts it, chiropractic is about strengthening the brain-body connection through the nervous system and removing interference so “it’s actually your body that does the healing” .
Book An Appointment
Please use the booking tool below to book an appointment or by calling us on (561) 264-7010
Whiplash Treatment FAQs
Long-Term Complications of Untreated Whiplash
When left untreated, whiplash injuries may lead to:
- Chronic neck pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Headaches or migraines
- Ongoing muscle tension
- Postural imbalance
- Increased risk of future injury
Early evaluation helps reduce these risks. Some patients also report issues like brain fog and reduced work or school function when symptoms linger .
What is the best treatment for whiplash?
The best treatment depends on injury severity and symptoms. Conservative care focuses on restoring motion and supporting healing. In our clinic, that means gentle, specific corrections that do not add stress to already-injured areas .
Does medical insurance cover whiplash treatment?
Coverage varies by policy. Our office can help verify benefits related to auto or work injuries. If you were in a car accident, note that Dr. Cohen shares that the clinic does not handle PI cases, and some patients choose to proceed as self-pay .
Is it normal to have delayed symptoms after a car accident?
Yes. Symptoms often appear days after an accident due to inflammation and muscle strain. Dr. Cohen also notes that whiplash commonly follows the sudden forward-and-backward motion during motor vehicle accidents .
Can chiropractic adjustments help with whiplash?
Chiropractic care helps restore movement and reduce joint restriction related to whiplash injuries. When care is gentle and specific, it can support the body’s recovery without aggravating sensitive tissues .
Is chiropractic care safe after a car accident?
Yes. Techniques are modified to match the injury and healing stage. For whiplash concerns, Dr. Cohen may also use flexion and extension neck images to assess ligament stability and guide safe care .
Can whiplash symptoms get worse over time?
Without care, symptoms may persist or become more noticeable. Some people experience increasing sensory symptoms like numbness or tingling into the shoulders, arms, and hands .
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