You get up in the morning; get ready, and head out the door for work. You start your car, back out of the driveway, and head out on your usual morning route to work. As your reach a stoplight, preparing to turn right, wham! Someone didn't hit the brakes quickly enough and they have rear-ended your car. Sound familiar? It happens hundreds of times every day all around the country.

If you've ever been in a fender bender, you are probably familiar with the pain that comes afterward. Even if no one was seriously injured in the accident and you think little damage was done, your neck may have a different story to tell the day after the accident. Even small accidents can cause serious movement in your neck and back. This is called whiplash.

Whiplash is most often a result from the stretching of the anterior longitudinal ligament in the spine. When acceleration causes involuntary movement, as in the case of a fender bender, it can cause the head to snap forward and tear or stretch the ligament. The result is pain and aching in the neck and shoulders as well as headaches. Other pain symptoms might include sensory disturbance in the arms and legs.

These symptoms usually appear a day or even days after the accident, but can sometimes be immediate. This painful sensation can be treated with visits to a licensed chiropractor for spinal adjustments manipulation as well as anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling in the effected areas.