Study Shows Car Accident Causes Loss of Neck Curve and is Corrected by Chiropractic

The Journal of Physical Therapy Science published the results of a case study on March 1, 2023, showing that an automobile accident caused a loss of normal neck curvature. The study also documented the restoration of neck curve with chiropractic care.

When viewed from the side, a neck x-ray should show that there is a smooth forward curvature. This curve helps the neck absorb shock and helps properly support the head. Studies have shown that a loss of the normal forward curvature can contribute to a variety of health issues. There have been many case studies in scientific journals that document chiropractic care improving or restoring the normal curve, and therefore having a positive impact on health and quality of life.

There have been many cases where a patient has gone to a chiropractor after an automobile accident and their x-rays showed a loss of neck curvature. In most of these cases, x-rays were taken after the accident so it was difficult to prove that the accident caused the loss of neck curve as opposed to the curve having been reduced prior to the accident.

The case provided in this study offered a unique perspective because the patient was under chiropractic care months before their accident, as well as after their accident. In each instance, initial x-rays were taken at the onset of care, as well as a follow-up to monitor the progress.

In this case, a 16-year-old boy originally went to the chiropractor for lower back pain not related to any sort of accident. A chiropractic examination and x-rays were performed. It was demonstrated on x-rays that there was a loss of neck curvature. Chiropractic care was started to address the spinal subluxations including the loss of a normal neck curve. Several months later, a second set of x-rays were taken which showed that the boy's neck curve had dramatically improved as had his original pain.

Months later, after the original chiropractic care, the boy was involved in an automobile accident. He returned to the chiropractor and received another examination and new spinal x-rays. This time, the x-rays showed that the improvements that were gained were lost and the boy's neck had once again lost most of the normal forward curvature.

Specific forms of chiropractic care were again started to address the boy's new issues from the automobile accident and the new loss of neck curvature. Once again, after several months of chiropractic care, follow-up x-rays were able to verify that the boy's neck had again improved to a near-normal curvature. Additionally, a third set of follow-up x-rays were taken months later which showed that the curve improvement was still present.

The study authors commented, "This case illustrates how a whiplash event occurring during a motor vehicle collision subluxated the cervical spine." With the documentation provided by pre and post x-rays for both care rendered before and after the automobile accident, it is possible to show that a car accident can indeed cause a loss of curvature, and that specific chiropractic care can help correct it.