Car accidents can place sudden force on the spine, muscles, joints, and nervous system. Even low-speed collisions may lead to pain, stiffness, headaches, reduced mobility, or lingering musculoskeletal problems that develop over time.

​At Lock Chiropractic, we provide chiropractic care for patients recovering from car accidents, auto injuries, and other motor vehicle accidents in San Francisco. Our goal is to help reduce pain, restore movement, improve function, and support long-term recovery after an accident.

Whether symptoms started immediately or days later, a proper evaluation can help identify underlying injuries before they become chronic problems.

​​Common Symptoms After a Car Accident

Many patients experience symptoms hours or days after a collision due to adrenaline masking pain immediately after the accident.

​Neck Pain After a Car Accident

Neck injuries are among the most common problems after rear-end and side-impact collisions. Sudden acceleration and deceleration forces can strain muscles, ligaments, joints, and spinal discs.

Common symptoms include:

• Neck stiffness

• Pain turning the head

• Muscle tightness

• Reduced range of motion

• Pain radiating into the shoulders

• Muscle spasms

Whiplash Symptoms

Whiplash occurs when the head rapidly moves forward and backward during impact. This may irritate soft tissues, spinal joints, and nerves.

Common whiplash symptoms include:

• Neck pain

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Upper back tension

• Shoulder pain

• Fatigue

• Jaw tightness

• Difficulty concentrating

Headaches After a Collision

Headaches are common after motor vehicle accidents and may result from neck strain, muscular tension, joint irritation, or concussion-related injuries.

​Symptoms may include:

• Tension headaches

• Migraines

• Pressure behind the eyes

• Light sensitivity

• Brain fog

• Difficulty focusing​

Low Back Pain After an Auto Accident

The force from a collision may compress or twist the lumbar spine and surrounding muscles.

​Patients may experience:

• Low back pain

• Sciatica

• Disc irritation

• Muscle tightness

• Pain sitting or driving

• Pain bending or lifting

Mid Back and Rib Pain

Seatbelts and impact forces can stress the thoracic spine and rib joints.

​Symptoms may include:

• Mid back tightness

• Pain between the shoulders

• Rib soreness

• Pain with deep breathing

• Difficulty twisting

Shoulder, Hip, and Extremity Injuries

Patients often brace during impact, which can strain the shoulders, hips, knees, wrists, or other joints.

Common symptoms include:

• Shoulder pain

• Hip tightness

• Knee discomfort

• Wrist pain

• Tingling or numbness

• Limited mobility

Delayed Symptoms After a Motor Vehicle Accident

It is common for pain and stiffness to worsen over the first several days after an accident. Delayed symptoms may indicate underlying soft tissue or spinal injuries.

​You should be evaluated if you experience:

• Persistent headaches

• Neck stiffness

• Back pain

• Tingling or numbness

• Reduced mobility

• Muscle spasms

• Fatigue

• Dizziness

• Jaw pain

• Pain with sitting or sleeping

​Ignoring symptoms early may contribute to chronic pain and long-term movement dysfunction.