Whiplash Treatment in Los Gatos
If you have been in a car accident and your neck has not felt right since, you are not being dramatic. Whiplash and related auto accident injuries can show up as neck pain, stiffness, headaches, trouble turning your head, or pain that runs into the shoulders and back.
At On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos, Dr. Adam Kleinberg, provides conservative, non surgical whiplash relief that focuses on finding and treating the root cause of your post accident pain, not just covering it up. Early evaluation can help you avoid long term problems and get your mobility back.
If you are looking for whiplash treatment in Los Gatos, our team is here to help you start that recovery process with a customized plan.
Auto Accident Injuries and Whiplash
Auto accidents are one of the most common ways people end up with whiplash, neck strain, and other soft tissue injuries. Even at low speeds, the sudden stop and forceful movement of a collision can snap the head forward and back or side to side. That rapid motion overstretches muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back, and it can also irritate joints and discs. In Dr. Adam Kleinberg’s experience, the size of the crash does not always match how bad you feel afterward. A “simple” fender bender can lead to real injury that needs attention, while some people walk away from bigger wrecks feeling mostly tight and sore at first. At On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos, auto accident injury care is built around careful assessment, not assumptions, so you are not ignored just because the car “doesn’t look that bad.”
Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash is usually caused by a rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head and neck. Dr. Dr. Adam Kleinberg often explains that the same underlying issues that cause low back pain and disc problems can show up in the neck after a crash, because the spine functions as one system. Rear end collisions that jerk the head back and forth are classic, but impact from the side, sudden stops, or being hit while turning can all strain the muscles, ligaments, and joints in the neck. Sports hits, falls, or abrupt stops on public transport can create a similar whiplash type injury. These forces can create sprain strain damage in the soft tissues and may stress the facet joints and discs in the cervical spine. Pain does not always show up right away. You might feel “just shaken up” for a day or two, then stiffness, headaches, or radiating pain start to kick in. That is why an early chiropractic evaluation is so important, even if symptoms are delayed.
Chiropractic Advantages for Whiplash Recovery
In Dr. Adam Kleinberg’s words, the same underlying problems that cause pain in one part of the spine can cause problems everywhere, so he looks at how your whole spine and nervous system are working, not just where it hurts. After an auto accident, a chiropractor for whiplash is trained to check joint motion, muscle tone, posture, and nerve function so you get more than a quick pain pill and a shrug. At On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos, care is conservative and hands on. Gentle chiropractic adjustments are used to improve alignment and restore normal motion in the neck and upper back so irritated joints and nerves can calm down. When injuries affect the discs or create compression, Dr. Adam Kleinberg may recommend specific decompression based care as part of the plan. He also coordinates with medical providers and, when needed, will refer out for imaging such as MRI to clarify more complex injuries. The goal is non-invasive care that helps your body heal as fully as possible so you are less likely to get stuck with chronic pain.
The Nature of Whiplash Injuries
Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when your head is whipped back and forth or side to side faster than your muscles can control. That snap can stretch and tear soft tissues, irritate facet joints, and stress the discs in the cervical spine. After an auto accident, people often notice neck pain, tightness, or a heavy feeling in the shoulders. Headaches that start at the base of the skull and move forward are common. You might feel dizzy, have trouble turning your head, or notice tingling that travels into the shoulders, arms, or hands. Some patients also report mid back or low back discomfort from the way the whole body twisted during impact. Dr. Adam Kleinberg reminds patients that these injuries can happen in collisions from any direction, not just rear end crashes, and that symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or sleep problems can be part of the overall picture.
Long-Term Consequences of Ignoring Whiplash
Ignoring whiplash does not usually mean it just “goes away.” In Dr. Adam Kleinberg’s experience with spinal problems in general, leaving misalignments and soft tissue injuries alone can lead to spinal degeneration, ongoing nerve pressure, and progressive loss of health over time. When whiplash is not addressed, the body often adapts by tightening certain muscles and changing posture. That can create chronic neck pain, frequent headaches, and stiffness that makes it hard to drive, work at a computer, or sleep comfortably. Over months or years, irritated joints and overloaded discs may begin to wear down faster, which can show up as arthritis or disc degeneration. Some people notice pain spreading into the upper back or shoulders, or weakness and numbness in the arms from nerve irritation. Early evaluation and treatment give you the best chance to break that cycle, restore better motion, and protect your long term spinal health instead of constantly chasing flare ups.
Treatment Steps for Whiplash Recovery
At On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos, whiplash treatment in Los Gatos starts with a detailed consultation and exam. Dr. Adam Kleinberg listens to your story about the accident, how your symptoms started, and what your day to day looks like now. He then checks posture, range of motion, tender points, and spinal alignment. When appropriate, he may recommend X rays to see how the vertebrae line up. If there are signs of more serious disc or nerve involvement, he can refer out for MRI or additional medical testing.
Treatment itself is built around gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore motion in the neck and mid back, reduce joint irritation, and support healthy nerve function. Based on his work with disc injuries, Dr. Adam Kleinberg may include spinal decompression therapy when there is evidence of compression or disc stress, using a carefully controlled traction table instead of inversion devices. Many plans also include soft tissue work, stretching, and simple therapeutic exercises to rebuild strength and stability. Care is usually structured over several weeks, with progress checks and adjustments to the plan as you improve.
Self-Care Tips for Whiplash Recovery
Dr. Adam Kleinberg talks a lot about how daily habits add up, especially for people who spend hours on computers or looking down at phones. After an auto accident, simple at home steps can make your in office care work better. In the early phase, following your doctor’s guidance about activity is key. Many patients do best avoiding extreme movements or sudden twisting while still keeping up with gentle, comfortable motion so the neck does not lock up. Paying attention to posture when you sit, work at a screen, or use your phone can reduce strain on healing tissues. Dr. Adam Kleinberg often shows patients how to set up their workstations so they are not always looking down and compressing the neck. As you progress, he may give you a simple range of motion and strengthening exercises to do between visits. The specifics of self care are always tailored to your injury and healing timeline.
Why Choose On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos
Dr. Adam Kleinberg built On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos to feel like a focused, community based clinic rather than a high volume factory. The space is intentionally small and easy to access, with convenient parking and a location that is simple to reach from the main routes around Los Gatos. In the exam room, you get a clear explanation of what is happening in your spine, how the accident forces likely affected you, and what the plan is to correct the problem instead of just chasing symptoms. For many conditions he treats, including disc injuries, he combines chiropractic adjustments with spinal decompression so there is both joint and disc support, and he keeps treatment plans realistic in frequency and cost. When it comes to auto accident injury care, he prefers to work directly with patients rather than get tangled in attorney driven liens, so the focus stays on your health. Education, transparency, and step by step progress are what set On Purpose Chiropractic in Los Gatos apart for non surgical whiplash relief.
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FAQs - Headache Treatment
Can a chiropractor help with headaches and migraines?
Yes, for many people. In Dr. Kleinberg’s experience, a large number of headaches and migraines are linked to misalignments in the upper neck that irritate the brainstem and surrounding nerves. Gentle, specific adjustments aim to realign those joints and improve how the brain communicates with the body. While results vary, patients often report changes in frequency, intensity, or recovery time as their spine and nervous system start working better.
What are common triggers?
Common triggers include posture strain from phones and laptops, tension from stress, dehydration, skipped meals, poor sleep, and long hours under bright lights or in front of screens. Neck injuries from the past can also set the stage for later headaches if the spine never fully recovered. In the office, Dr. Kleinberg looks at both structure and lifestyle so you are not just chasing symptoms but actually understanding what sets your headaches off.
When should I seek care?
It is smart to seek care if headaches or migraines are:
- Showing up several times a month or more
- Getting more intense over time
- Coming with neck pain, stiffness, or arm symptoms
- Interfering with your ability to work, drive, or sleep
A chiropractic evaluation at On Purpose Los Gatos Chiropractic can help uncover possible structural contributors. If anything looks outside our scope or concerning, Dr. Kleinberg will recommend the appropriate medical follow up.
Are adjustments safe for cervical headaches?
Dr. Kleinberg has been in practice for 25 years and has delivered hundreds of thousands of adjustments. He evaluates each person individually and uses tailored, gentle techniques for neck-related headaches, especially around the upper cervical spine. As with any healthcare, there are risks, but serious complications in his practice have been extremely rare. If your case calls for a different approach or co-management, he will talk that through with you.
Which home strategies can I try now?
Helpful home strategies include:
- Drinking enough water daily
- Taking short movement breaks every 30–45 minutes when using screens
- Keeping your phone and monitor closer to eye level
- Practicing gentle neck mobility exercises recommended by your chiropractor
- Creating a consistent bedtime routine and using a supportive pillow
These are not a replacement for care, but they often make your headache treatment in Los Gatos more effective.
