If you’re searching for whiplash from car crash and still dealing with pain, stiffness, dizziness, or brain fog—you’re not alone. The reality is, whiplash can affect much more than just your neck.
Common symptoms include:
Neck pain and stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Upper back pain
Dizziness, nausea, or blurred vision
Many people try PT, chiropractic, or massage—and feel better for a while—only for symptoms to return or evolve. That’s because whiplash often impacts the brainstem, balance system, and autonomic function, not just muscles and joints.
Here’s what most clinics miss:
6 of the 7 most common whiplash symptoms overlap with concussion symptoms.
That’s why relief often doesn’t last unless you treat the whole system—not just the neck.
At The Neural Connection, we specialize in identifying and treating the full picture:
Structural injuries
Brainstem involvement
Sensory mismatch (vision, balance, coordination)
Autonomic dysfunction (e.g., nausea, heart rate issues)
We bring multiple therapies together—so you don’t have to bounce between providers or waste your limited insurance window.
It depends—on the injury severity, what systems were impacted, and how soon you start the right care.
If it’s only soft tissue damage, symptoms may resolve in a few weeks with PT.
If there’s neurologic or brainstem involvement, recovery can take months and requires a more advanced approach.
We help patients determine:
Is this just pain—or something deeper?
Are your symptoms neurological, structural, or both?
What therapy will give the most lasting relief?
“I thought it was just neck pain—turns out my balance and vision were off too. This was the first place that actually tested all of it.”
— Former whiplash patient, 2023
Book a free 30-minute consultation with a specialist who understands the full spectrum of post-crash symptoms.
Let’s figure out what’s really going on—and what to do next.
Q: What is whiplash and how does it happen in a car crash?
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are suddenly forced forward and backward during a collision.
This rapid motion overstretches the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the neck, leading to pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, or nerve irritation.
Q: Can whiplash symptoms appear days or weeks after the accident?
Yes. Many people feel “fine” right after a crash because adrenaline masks pain. As inflammation builds and the nervous system reacts, symptoms such as neck pain, headaches, dizziness, brain fog, and stiffness can show up later.
Q: What are the most common symptoms of whiplash?
Symptoms may include neck pain, reduced range of motion, headaches at the base of the skull, shoulder or upper-back pain, dizziness, ringing in the ears, jaw tightness, and difficulty concentrating. Some patients also experience visual strain, fatigue, or nerve-related symptoms.
Q: Do I need treatment even if the accident was minor?
Low-speed collisions can still cause significant soft-tissue and neurological strain. Even minor crashes can disrupt the spine, vestibular system, or autonomic nervous system. Early evaluation helps prevent chronic pain, mobility issues, or long-term complications.
Q: What happens during a whiplash evaluation?
We take a complete history of your accident, assess your neck mobility, evaluate posture and structural alignment, check for neurological or vestibular involvement, and identify which tissues were injured. This ensures we design a treatment plan tailored to your exact symptoms.
Q: What treatments help with whiplash recovery?
Treatment may include functional neurology, gentle structural correction, soft-tissue therapy, mobility restoration, vestibular or balance rehab, and exercises that help reduce inflammation and retrain the nervous system. The goal is to heal tissues properly and restore normal movement patterns.
Q: How long does it take to recover from whiplash?
Recovery varies based on the severity of the collision, your health history, and whether neurological systems were affected. Some patients improve within weeks, while others require more comprehensive care. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes.
Q: Can whiplash cause dizziness, headaches, or brain fog?
Yes. Whiplash often affects the cervical spine and vestibular system, which help regulate balance, eye movements, and spatial awareness. Irritation in these areas can lead to dizziness, blurred vision, migraines, or difficulty concentrating.
Q: What if I already went to the ER but still have pain?
The ER is designed to rule out emergencies. It rarely evaluates soft-tissue, neurological, or functional issues that develop after a crash. If you continue to feel symptoms, a deeper assessment can uncover the underlying causes and provide targeted treatment.
Q: Do you work with auto insurance for whiplash treatment?
Yes. Most auto insurance policies cover necessary treatment after a car accident. Our office works directly with auto insurance and personal injury protection (PIP) to ensure your care is authorized and documented properly.
Q: Do I need a referral to use auto insurance for treatment?
In most cases, no referral is needed. You can schedule directly with us, and we will help verify your coverage and guide you through the process.
I have been battling major symptoms from a traumatic brain injury since 2012. Working with Dr. Maesaka has been the single most effective treatment protocol I’ve tried in 11 years, and I’ve tried absolutely everything available. My migraines have decreased, my vision is better, my sleep is improved.
Sarah
Dr. Reis is an incredible practitioner who helped me so much in my recovery from a mild traumatic brain injury sustained three years ago. Not only did he provide therapies that improved my symptoms in a remarkable way, he gave me hope that I would get my life back!
Kim
Outstanding experience. Thompson is a master of his craft AND trustworthy. I feel SO much better than 3 weeks ago when I walked in.
Davis
I have been on my own personal health journey dealing with a traumatic brain injury, that went undiagnosed for 6 years. I kept seeking help and advocating for myself along the way and constantly felt defeated and didn’t want to continue to stay “stuck” like this. Thankfully, I still have the drive and continued my research until I came across Dr. Maesaka. I’m beyond thankful that I didn’t lose hope and found him. He has been the biggest motivator in helping me through all of this as he truly understands every aspect of what a brain injury can do to a person. We continue to make progress for my complex case, as all brain injuries are so different, and his office loves “complex” cases. These are the most brilliant Doctor’s I have spoke with and had the opportunity to work with.
Kourtney
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Dr Maesaka and his practice. My teenage daughter was diagnosed with seizure disorder and subsequently ortho static intolerance after suffering a whiplash/concussive injury. She was placed on seizure and heart medications which did not control her symptoms completely. She has endured headaches, brain fog, seizures, rapid heart rates and fatigue for 2 years. After a week of intensive therapy, we have already seen great improvement and have hope that she will return to her active self soon. We traveled from Georgia to see Dr Maesaka and it has been the best experience- he is kind, empathetic and exceptionally knowledgeable.
Marie
Words that come to mind~Knowledgable, Compassionate, Encouraging, and Trustworthy!!! Our daughter was in a motorcycle accident 25 years ago. Have been told for years that all healing is done in the first year. NOT SO! Dr. Reis gave us many exercises to do to stimulate the brain. He compared it to a computer off-line. Now lets get to work getting it back on-line. GREAT facility and GREAT doctors. Would highly recommend to anyone with TBI. Their greatest desire is for the patient to be successful.
Mike
I had been dealing with constant headaches for years and went to a lot of clinics that just told me to take advil to deal with the pain. I finally found Dr. Thompson at The Neural Connection who actually listened to me and believed in my problems. Through physical therapy on my eyes he has helped my quality of life immensely as I barely have any headaches anymore. I couldn’t recomended him or the clinic any higher!
Tanner
TBI 2016. It was a slow hell and being stuck at home and unable to manage symptoms. After years of digging to get help I finally found Dr Maesaka and Dr Hennes. Im from Ohio, so my rehab was an intense week long rehab. Life changing and I can live again. I was extremely active period to accident. Im back to those activities and can actually go enjoy dinner with friends after work. I can get set backs, but I use the techniques they taught me to calm the brain down.
Im truly thankful to have been able to get care from these two extraordinary doctors. I did not share with many friends/family about my trip to get care. When they see me they comment how different I am and I’m back to my old self.
I can’t say thank you enough! I can’t express my gratitude!
Karrie
After multiple concussions, I thought it was not possible to feel totally normal ever again. Dr. Thompson is incredible at what he does. After a few months of working with him, I regained the ability to read books and work on the computer without nausea or headaches, and regained hearing loss. Life changing. Thank you!
Maddie
After suffering a mild TBI from an accident I was having constant brain fog, processing, memory recall issues, anxiety, balance problems, and light sensitivity. I went to multiple doctors and clinics with little to no success or results. I was completely fed up and felt like nobody in the medical community understood or cared about what I was going through!
I was extremely lucky to find Dr Thompson Maesaka and finally found someone who cared enough to listen and actually explain what was wrong with me and how to fix it! The personalized rehabilitation program that he has you do actually works and has significantly improved my quality of life.
John
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Michael Hennes last week for some ongoing issues stemming from a head injury many years ago. Dr. Hennes was incredibly knowledgeable, thorough, empathetic, and kind. He was able to diagnose a vestibular dysfunction. He’s honest and forthright about whether or not he thinks he can help, which is something I really appreciate. I’m very happy that he took me on as a patient.
Esther
Dr. Thompson is a miracle worker!! He’s dedicated his career to helping people in an area that is overlooked by most health professionals. From the very beginning I felt comfortable and confident in his work. Within a few appointments I felt completely myself again! I’ve had concussions in the past but I’ve never felt so confident that the injury was healed and got me on a path where it wouldn’t affect me long term. Highly recommend!!
Alyza
I highly recommend The Neural Connection and Dr.Hennes. After over a year of searching for answers and appointments after a severe soccer injury/concussion I was able to find the help, answers, and relief I was looking for from working with Dr.Hennes!
Amanda
Dr. Reis was excellent to work with. Prior to our appointment he did call to answer any questions and explain what would happen during our appointment. The appointment was extremely thorough. He explained all the steps of his examination and what he could be looking for. I highly recommend The Neural Connection for issues related to the neurological system.
Kristin
