Whiplash Treatment in Arlington, VA After a Car Accident
If you need whiplash treatment after a car accident in Arlington, VA, NOVA Pain and Rehab Center at 2955 S. Glebe Road treats auto accident and personal injury patients with chiropractic care, physical therapy and functional medical services in one office. Dr. Erik Ward and the team start with an examination to find the source of your pain, then build a treatment plan around your injury. Call 703-535-8887 or book online.
Car accidents are stressful even when no one goes to the hospital. Many people feel fine at the scene, then wake up a day or two later with a stiff, aching neck. This guide explains what whiplash is, why it can be more involved than it seems, and what care at NOVA Pain and Rehab Center may look like.
What Whiplash Is and Why It Happens
Whiplash describes an injury to the neck that happens during a motor vehicle accident. The most common type of crash is a rear impact, and the person in the car that gets rear-ended is usually at the greatest risk of injury. The head and neck move faster than the body can brace, which can strain the soft tissues and joints of the cervical spine.
Whiplash is sometimes dismissed as a minor sprain. NOVA's whiplash page explains why that view is changing: research has helped clarify why people struck from behind can experience more extensive injuries than expected. Whiplash injuries can include a range of related problems, such as:
- Joint dysfunction
- Disc herniation
- Faulty movement patterns
- Chronic pain
- Problems with concentration or other cognitive symptoms
Symptoms to Watch for After a Crash
Whiplash symptoms do not always appear right away. Over the hours and days after an accident, watch for:
- Neck pain or stiffness, especially when turning your head
- Headaches that start at the base of the skull
- Pain that spreads into the shoulders or upper back
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
- Trouble concentrating, fatigue or poor sleep
Some symptoms need emergency care before anything else. Go to the emergency room or call 911 for severe neck pain, weakness in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, confusion or a worsening headache.
Whiplash can also be hard to judge on your own because stiffness and soreness often peak a day or two after the crash, once the adrenaline wears off. Some people notice they cannot check their blind spot comfortably, or that a headache returns every afternoon. Those small changes are worth mentioning at your visit.
For everything else, it is reasonable to get evaluated soon rather than waiting to see whether the pain fades. An early exam also creates a record of your injuries, which can matter if you file a claim.
How NOVA Evaluates a Whiplash Injury
NOVA Pain and Rehab Center describes recovery as depending on a correct diagnosis and properly administered treatment. On the practice's personal injury and auto accident page, the process for new accident patients works like this:
- Our staff explain the paperwork and help you complete a full medical history. You can also fill out the accident paperwork online before your first visit.
- One of our physicians performs a thorough examination. The office has its own x-ray facility.
- You receive a report of findings that explains your injuries and the treatment recommendations.
- When something falls outside our scope, we refer you to the right provider.
The role of the chiropractor in a whiplash case is to diagnose the source of the pain, treat the most important dysfunctions, and teach you how to return to a more normal lifestyle. That process works best as a team effort between you, your doctor and any other professionals involved in your case.
Treatment Options for Whiplash
Every case is different, and not every patient needs a comprehensive pain program. Some people do well with a few targeted treatments, while others need a broader plan. Depending on your exam, care at NOVA may include:
- Chiropractic care to address joint dysfunction in the neck and upper back
- Physical therapy to rebuild strength, posture and movement control
- Dry needling for muscle and soft tissue pain, often combined with other conservative care
- Active Release Technique for soft tissue restriction
The focus throughout is restoring normal function, not only easing pain for a few days. The practice's goal is to provide lasting relief and to teach you how to prevent the problem from coming back. Many patients notice meaningful relief within the first few visits, though recovery time varies from person to person.
If your neck pain began before the accident or has lasted for months, the practice's page on neck pain covers other causes the team evaluates.
Documentation for Insurance and Legal Claims
Accident cases often involve auto insurance, and sometimes an attorney. NOVA's physicians are experienced in managing trauma and work-related injuries and can provide medical narrative reports, depositions and testimony if needed. The practice organizes each patient's file so the information can be found quickly when it is requested.
If you speak Spanish, the accident paperwork is also available in Spanish on the Spanish personal injury page. For health insurance questions, the Arlington office works with Aetna, Anthem, BCBS, Cigna, Care First and United Health Care. Coverage for accident care depends on your policies, so call the office to talk through your situation.
This post is general information, not legal advice. Talk with your attorney or insurer about the details of your claim.
Visiting the Arlington Office
NOVA Pain and Rehab Center has served Northern Virginia and Washington, DC for the last 20 years. The Arlington office is at 2955 S. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22206. Current hours are Monday 3:00pm to 8:00pm and Wednesday and Friday 8:30am to 8:00pm. Dr. Erik A. Ward, DC, CSCS, CCSP, has been helping patients through chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation since he began practicing in 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NOVA Pain and Rehab Center treat car accident injuries?
Yes. NOVA Pain and Rehab Center treats personal injury and auto accident patients, including whiplash, at its Arlington office at 2955 S. Glebe Road.
Can I fill out my accident paperwork before the first visit?
Yes. Accident patients can complete the personal injury and auto accident paperwork online before the first visit. The forms are available in English and Spanish.
Can the doctors document my injuries for an insurance or legal claim?
The practice states that its physicians can provide medical narrative reports, depositions and testimony if needed. Ask the office what your case requires. This post is general information, not legal advice.
What should I do if my neck pain started days after the accident?
Delayed neck pain, stiffness or headaches after a crash are worth having evaluated. Seek emergency care right away for severe pain, numbness or weakness in the arms, or confusion.
To schedule a whiplash evaluation at NOVA Pain and Rehab Center, call the Arlington office at 703-535-8887 or book your appointment online and choose the Arlington location.