Macomb chiropractor says whiplash can stay hidden for weeks

A Macomb, Michigan chiropractor says collision-related whiplash can cause hidden nerve stress and tissue damage long before pain appears. He says early evaluation matters because symptoms may not show up for days or weeks after a crash.

Why it matters: - Whiplash can damage the neck even in low-speed collisions, and symptoms may not appear right away. - Delayed care can allow injuries to worsen, especially when pain fades after the crash and patients assume they are fine. - Early evaluation may help identify nerve stress, disc injury, or alignment problems before they become harder to treat.

What happened: - Dr. Pavel Bence of Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center in Macomb, Michigan, said whiplash happens in about 45 milliseconds, with the head snapping back and then forward. - Bence said neck injuries can show up days, weeks, or even months after a collision. - The practice is urging crash patients to get checked early, even when symptoms are mild or absent.

The details: - Bence said adrenaline can mask pain after a crash, which can delay care. - He said headaches, neck stiffness, arm pain, fatigue, and trouble concentrating may develop later. - Bence said research shows neck damage can happen in a 5 mph collision because the muscles, structures, and nerves around the spine are delicate. - He said impact direction matters, and side impacts can be harder on the spine. - He said a headrest should sit at least level with the top of the head. - He said seatbelts save lives but do not guarantee protection from spinal injury. - Bence compared the injury pattern to sports sprains and said the ligaments, discs, tendons, and muscles around the spine help hold the spine together. - He said scar tissue can form as these tissues heal, leaving them stiffer and more sensitive to pain. - He said about half of accident patients in his experience are left with lasting pain, especially those who delay care or skip it. - The practice combines chiropractic adjustments with rehabilitation to rebuild strength and help the spine heal in good alignment and motion. - Bence said the practice uses the Insight Subluxation Station thermal scan to look for nerve stress when pain is not a reliable guide. - He said the scan takes under 30 seconds and compares skin temperature on both sides of the spine at each level. - He said temperature differences can point to areas under nervous system stress before pain appears. - He said the scan is used alongside posture checks, hands-on examination, and X-rays, not as a replacement. - Patients are scanned at the first visit and again after about 10 to 12 visits. - Bence said he watches the trend in readings because daily stress and habits can change them. - He said emergency care comes first if a patient is in pain, bleeding, or has a serious injury. - He said a collar may make sense for a fracture or severe pain. - For soft-tissue injuries, he prefers gentle movement within pain tolerance after the first few days. - He said a healthy neck has a gentle forward curve, and trauma can flatten or reverse that curve into what is often called military neck. - He said restoring even part of that curve can make a big difference, and the right pillow can help. - He said he evaluates the neck, mid-back, and low back together because he treats the spine as one connected system.

Between the lines: - The message is aimed at preventing patients from waiting for pain to confirm an injury. - The emphasis on posture, curve restoration, and spinal alignment suggests the practice is framing whiplash as both an acute injury and a longer biomechanical problem. - The use of thermal scanning reflects a push to identify problems before they become obvious to the patient.

What's next: - Bence wants crash patients to schedule a chiropractic evaluation within days, even if they feel fine. - He advises patients to document the direction of impact, the speed, and any delayed symptoms. - He also tells patients to check headrest height and to ask before wearing a collar beyond a day or two. - He said the sooner care starts after trauma, the better the prognosis. - Bence Chiropractic Wellness Center is at 46857 Garfield Rd. in Macomb and serves patients from Sterling Heights, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Warren, Utica, and nearby communities. - The practice offers a $99 new-patient visit that includes a consultation, exam, findings, and X-rays if needed, with no referral required. - The clinic can be reached at (586) 978-9900 or more information.

The bottom line: - Whiplash can be easy to miss at first, but hidden neck and nerve injuries may surface later and deserve early evaluation.