Pain Relief Chiropractic

The neck contains many structures that work together to support the head and allow
smooth movement, including muscles, ligaments, disks, nerves, and facet joints. During a
whiplash injury, the neck can experience rapid forces that stretch these tissues, contributing to
the myriad symptoms collectively known as whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). According to
a recent systematic review, injuries to the cervical facet joints—small joints located at the back
of the spine that guide movement between the vertebrae—are a common source of pain
following whiplash, even if routine imaging tests do not reveal obvious structural damage.
The review, which examined 49 studies, found that the joint capsule surrounding the
cervical facet joints can sustain what researchers call a subfailure injury. In simple terms, this
means the tissue is stretched enough to develop microscopic strains without tearing or causing
obvious structural damage. Even though these tiny injuries may not appear on imaging tests, they
can still stimulate pain-sensitive tissues, causing pain that is often aggravated by certain neck
movements or positions.
Of note, the authors also found that these small injuries may increase the sensitivity of the
nervous system, allowing pain signals to continue long after the initial injury. This could help
explain why nearly half of patients with WAD continue to experience symptoms a year after
their injury, even though the injured tissues would generally be expected to have undergone
substantial healing.
These findings highlight the importance of the physical examination when assessing a
patient after a motor vehicle collision, sports injury, head trauma, or slip-and-fall accident. By
evaluating how the neck responds to palpation, assessing range of motion, and observing which
movements reproduce the patient’s symptoms, a doctor of chiropractic can identify patterns that
may suggest involvement of one or more cervical facet joints. While no single examination
finding can definitively diagnose a facet joint injury, the physical examination helps determine
the most likely source of pain and guides appropriate treatment.
If one or more facet joints are suspected to have been injured, chiropractic care often
includes a combination of gentle spinal manipulation or mobilization, soft tissue therapy,
therapeutic exercises, and postural recommendations designed to reduce pain, restore normal
joint motion, and improve the strength and coordination of the muscles that support the neck.
Patients are generally encouraged to remain as active as their symptoms allow rather than
immobilizing the neck with a cervical collar, as prolonged use can lead to muscle
deconditioning, joint stiffness, and an increased risk of persistent symptoms.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Tags: mechanicsburg pa chiropractor, pain relief, whiplash

Occipital neuralgia is a condition involving irritation of the occipital nerves and is often
characterized by sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like pain that starts near the base of the skull
and radiates upward. A 2025 study of 212 patients with occipital neuralgia found that 117 reported a
prior head or neck injury, with whiplash identified as the most common cause. Let’s look at how a
history of whiplash may influence the risk of occipital neuralgia.
The greater occipital nerve originates from the second cervical spinal nerve and passes
through several layers of muscle and connective tissue before reaching the scalp. During a whiplash
injury, the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head and neck may stretch or compress the nerve,
cause microscopic injury, or trigger abnormal nerve signaling. In some individuals, these changes
may contribute to the shooting, burning, or electric-like sensations.
Whiplash commonly causes tightness in the small muscles at the base of the skull as well as
tension throughout the neck and shoulders. When these muscles remain chronically tight, they may
place pressure on nearby occipital nerves and contribute to symptoms. Trauma can also affect the
joints between the skull and first cervical vertebra as well as those between the first and second
cervical vertebrae. These structures are closely related to the nerve roots that eventually form the
occipital nerves. Joint irritation may increase local inflammation, alter nerve mechanics, and produce
pain patterns that resemble occipital neuralgia.
The healing process itself may also play a role. As injured tissues repair, scar tissue and
thickened connective tissue can develop. Because the occipital nerves pass through multiple
muscular and fascial layers, these changes may reduce the available space around the nerves and
contribute to ongoing irritation or entrapment. In some individuals, the nervous system becomes
more sensitive following injury. This process can cause normally harmless sensations to become
painful and may contribute to scalp tenderness, increased nerve sensitivity, or symptoms that persist
long after the initial injury has healed.
Occipital neuralgia is sometimes mistaken for migraines, tension headaches, or headaches
that originate from the neck. Clues that suggest occipital neuralgia include pain that begins near the
base of the skull, tenderness over the occipital nerves, scalp sensitivity, and sharp pain that radiates
toward the top of the head. Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, a thorough
examination is important. If the examination suggests occipital neuralgia is present and the patient is
a candidate for chiropractic care, treatment may include a multimodal approach using manual
therapies, specific exercises, physiotherapy modalities, and patient education to help reduce
mechanical stress on the occipital nerves. Chiropractors are also trained to recognize when comanagement or referral to another healthcare provider may be appropriate.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Tags: mechanicsburg pa chiropractor, pain relief, whiplash

Whiplash is a common neck injury that typically occurs when the head is suddenly forced
backward and forward, often during a motor vehicle collision, sports injury, or fall. This rapid
motion can place excessive stress on the muscles, joints, ligaments, discs, and nerves of the
cervical spine. Many people walk away from a collision feeling relatively normal only to
develop neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or shoulder pain hours or even days later. This
delayed onset can cause some individuals to underestimate the severity of the injury or delay
seeking evaluation.
Whiplash injuries are commonly classified using the Quebec Task Force grading system,
which ranges from Grade I to Grade IV. Grade IV whiplash injuries are the most severe and
involve fractures or dislocations of the cervical spine. These injuries usually produce immediate
and obvious symptoms and require urgent medical evaluation. Grade III injuries involve
neurologic findings such as numbness, weakness, altered reflexes, or radiating arm pain.
Symptoms in these cases also tend to appear relatively quickly, often within hours of the trauma.
The majority of whiplash cases fall into the Grade I and Grade II categories. Grade I
whiplash typically involves neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness without significant objective
physical findings. Grade II injuries may include reduced range of motion, muscle spasm, or
musculoskeletal tenderness. In many Grade I and II cases, symptoms such as neck pain and
stiffness, headaches, upper back or shoulder pain, dizziness, reduced neck mobility, fatigue, and
difficulty concentrating may gradually worsen over the first 24 to 72 hours after the injury.
Researchers have noted several factors that may contribute to this delay, including
inflammation, muscle guarding, soft tissue irritation, and nervous system sensitization that
develops over time following the initial trauma. Adrenaline released during an accident may also
temporarily mask pain immediately afterward.
Because symptoms can evolve gradually, early evaluation is important even if discomfort
initially seems minor. Chiropractic evaluation after a whiplash injury can help identify areas of
restricted movement, muscular dysfunction, joint irritation, postural changes, and neurologic
findings. Early conservative care may help improve mobility, reduce pain, restore function, and
guide patients through a safe return to normal activity. While not every collision results in
serious injury, patients should remember that whiplash symptoms are not always immediate. In
many cases, the body’s response to injury continues to evolve during the first days after trauma.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr.

Suite 102 Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Tags: mechanicsburg pa chiropractor, pain relief, whiplash

It’s estimated that up to 50% of patients with whiplash-associated disorders
(WAD) continue to experience symptoms one year after their injury. Common chronic
WAD symptoms include persistent neck pain and stiffness, headaches, shoulder and
upper back pain, arm pain or numbness and tingling, dizziness or balance issues, fatigue
and sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties, and increased pain sensitivity.
Because of the significant toll chronic WAD can have on individuals, families, and
society as a whole, there has been substantial research aimed at better understanding
these injuries in hopes of preventing long-term pain and disability. In particular, the view
is beginning to shift from WAD being the result of simple soft tissue injury to a more
complex condition involving the nervous system, where ongoing inflammation in and
around neural tissues may continue to drive pain long after the initial injury.
The sudden acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck that characterizes
whiplash can place rapid strain on cervical tissues, including the joints, muscles,
ligaments, and tendons. In response, the body initiates an inflammatory process, releasing
chemical messengers that help coordinate healing. These inflammatory signals can also
affect nearby nerves, increasing their sensitivity and altering how they transmit signals.
In the short term, this response is normal and part of recovery. However, if the
condition is not effectively managed, this heightened state can persist. Ongoing irritation
of the nervous system may amplify pain signaling and contribute to increased sensitivity
over time, a process known as central sensitization. As a result, stimuli that would not
normally be painful may begin to produce pain, and symptoms can persist even after the
original injury has largely healed.
Patients with signs of sensitization often require a more comprehensive treatment
approach—one that addresses both the physical tissues and the nervous system. Care may
include manual therapies and therapeutic modalities, targeted exercises and a gradual
return to normal activity, and patient education to support positive recovery expectations.
In some cases, additional strategies aimed at reducing inflammation, such as dietary
considerations, may also be included as part of a broader, individualized plan.

Brent Binder, D.C.

4909 Louise Dr. Suite 102

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 697-1888

Tags: mechanicsburg pa chiropractor, pain relief, whiplash