Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 1/4/2009

Question
Hello Dr Newhart, I hope you can help me with this issue.
Twelve months ago I was involved in a car accident, in which my vehicle was struck from behind.  I suffered mild whiplash, went to hospital and had it checked out.  They didn't however, x-ray my neck at the time.  Over the past year I have had twinges of pain down the right hand side of my neck and down into my back.  About 3 weeks ago, I lifted a bag at work and felt a very sharp pain in my neck again.  Within about 3 hours my neck was extremely sore and stiff.  I have been training to become a police officer and have been off work now for the past 3 weeks.  I still have mild pain in my neck, but also shooting pain down both arms and tingling in my hands.  I have an x-ray on my neck this coming week, but my supervisors at work seem to think I just have muscle pain (??) and should be returning to work quicker than I have.  What do you think could be causing this pain?

Answer
If nothing was done as far as treatment, you could have a hyperflexion/hyperextension (whiplash) injury.  Left untreated, they can ease up in pain, but something can set them off.  Since it is a chronic injury, treatment and rehab can take up to a 3 month period, depending upon your healing.  A good chiropractor should be able to assess, treat and help you to rehab the injury so that you come back just as strong as previously.