Whiplash is one of the most common injuries following a motor vehicle accident. Even a relatively minor collision can cause the head and neck to move rapidly back and forth, placing significant stress on the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues surrounding the cervical spine.
Symptoms don't always appear immediately. Neck stiffness, headaches, shoulder pain, muscle spasms, and reduced range of motion can develop hours or even days after an accident.
How Acupuncture Helps Whiplash
Acupuncture can be a helpful part of recovery by addressing pain, muscle tension, and restricted movement. By stimulating specific points, acupuncture influences the nervous system and may help regulate pain signals and support the body's natural healing response.
Treatment may help:
Reduce neck and shoulder pain
Relieve muscle tension and spasms
Improve cervical mobility and range of motion
Address tension headaches associated with neck injuries
Reduce protective muscle guarding
Whiplash doesn't just affect the neck. The surrounding muscles of the shoulders, upper back, and base of the skull can also become tight and overactive following an accident.
For example, headaches may be associated with tension in the suboccipital muscles at the base of the skull, while shoulder pain may involve the upper trapezius and muscles surrounding the shoulder blade.
My approach combines traditional acupuncture with orthopedic and sports medicine techniques to evaluate and treat the surrounding structures contributing to your symptoms. Treatment may also include electrical stimulation, cupping, and manual therapy.
Does Oregon Auto Insurance Cover Acupuncture?
If your injuries resulted from a motor vehicle accident, acupuncture may be covered under your auto insurance's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. Oregon requires auto insurance policies to include PIP coverage for reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to accident injuries, subject to policy limits and requirements.
You don't have to accept persistent neck pain, headaches, or restricted movement after a car accident.
