Neck pain and whiplash after a car accident

What whiplash can injure in the neck

• Greater occipital nerve. Irritation can cause headaches that start at the base of the skull.
• Cervical facet joints. Small joints in the neck can become inflamed or injured.
• Cervical ligaments. Ligaments can stretch or tear, causing instability and pain.
• Cervical disc and epidural space. The disc or surrounding nerves may be irritated or injured.
• Muscles and tendons. They can be injured or inflamed.

Many of these injuries can heal when given the right environment and the right treatment.

Symptoms can change over weeks, so the team follows you with one record and one coordinated team.

In Florida, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) generally requires that you get initial medical care within 14 days of the accident, so do not wait to see if the pain goes away.

How Dr. Chago's team evaluates it

Every traumatic injury deserves a comprehensive neurological evaluation. Many injuries improve with conservative care, but others may involve damage to the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves or musculoskeletal system that can go undetected without a specialized assessment.

The Neurofibers Evaluation Protocol starts with a detailed history and a complete neurological examination, adds imaging studies and specialized testing as clinically indicated, and ends in diagnosis and treatment recommendations for all the clinically significant pain generators identified, followed by ongoing assessment of your progress.

The team reviews your symptoms and imaging and explains your options in plain language, from injections and the FIG Procedure to surgery when it is truly needed.

Your first visit is a virtual evaluation from home with a clinician on Dr. Chago's clinical team. The team collects your records and imaging and prepares your case for review with Dr. Chago. An in-person visit follows when it is appropriate.

Already have imaging and a question about it? A case review gives you a recorded video answer.

A treatment the team offers

Functional Injury Guided treatment: image-guided PRP for the injured structures behind whiplash pain, in one coordinated session.

• About the FIG Procedure
• All procedures

When to go to the emergency room. A severe or worsening headache, new weakness or numbness, confusion, trouble speaking or walking, seizures, or loss of bladder or bowel control need emergency care now. Call 911.

This is general information, not medical advice for your case. To talk about your symptoms, book a visit or call 1-855-DRCHAGO.