Whiplash injury to the neck, or cervical sprain/strain, is by far the most common injury that results from a car accident. Traumatic injuries often cause sprains and strains which are commonly referred to as soft tissue injuries (soft tissue includes muscles, tendons, and ligaments.)

Soft tissue injuries, for the most part are invisible on x-rays and often overlooked. Soft tissue injuries can cause severe debilitating pain after a car accident.

Worse yet, if a soft tissue injury is not directly addressed with proper rehabilitation, and left untreated and unresolved, the injured muscles and other soft tissues can end up causing chronic pain for months...even years following the accident. 

Unfortunately, the standard medical approach to these injuries often amounts to nothing more than suppressing the symptoms with pain-killers and anti-inflammatory drugs, leaving the injured muscles to hopefully heal on their own. Soft tissue damage is usually more serious than a bone injury since bone heals with calcium which is one of the naturally occurring substances of bone; whereas, soft tissue, usually takes longer to heal after injury with fibrous or scar tissue. This scar tissue is different from the original soft tissue, and is usually less pliable after repair.

 Injured muscles heal with scar tissue in a way that leaves them weaker, less elastic, and prone to re-injury and pain. Active and passive therapies administered by your chiropractic physician help to restore muscular strength, flexibility, and normal function by correcting or "aligning" the scar tissue. This will allow the soft tissue to heal healthier with less chance of future pain and dysfunction.