Conditions
The neck and back house the nerve pathways that carry signals between the brain and the body. A problem in the spine can cause pain, numbness, or weakness, and sometimes headaches, dizziness, or trouble thinking clearly. This page covers neck pain, herniated discs, whiplash, and spinal cord injury, based on neutral medical sources, and explains where our care fits. It is general information, not a diagnosis.
If a neck or back injury is suspected, Mayo Clinic advises calling 911, keeping the person still, and not moving the head or neck. Emergency signs after an accident include serious back pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back, weakness or loss of coordination, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, loss of bladder or bowel control, trouble with balance or walking, trouble breathing, and a twisted neck or back (Mayo Clinic, May 2026).
For a herniated disc in the lower back, seek emergency care for worsening pain, numbness, or weakness that makes daily activities difficult, trouble controlling urine or stool, or numbness in the inner thighs, back of the legs, or around the rectum (Mayo Clinic, June 2026).
Mayo Clinic says neck pain is very common and usually not a sign of serious illness. Common causes include muscle strain from long periods of hunched or forward-leaning posture, worn joints from aging, pinched nerves from bulging discs or bone spurs, injuries such as whiplash, and diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis, or cancer. Symptoms include pain that worsens when holding one head position for a long time, muscle tightness and spasms, trouble moving the head, and headaches. See a healthcare professional if neck pain is very intense, does not improve after a few days, spreads into the arms or legs, or comes with headache, numbness, weakness, or tingling (Mayo Clinic, May 2026).
The neck is also tied to headaches and dizziness. Our Migraine & Headache page covers cervicogenic headache, and our Vertigo & Balance page covers cervicogenic dizziness.
Mayo Clinic describes a herniated disc as the soft center of a spinal disc pushing through a tear in its tougher outer layer. It most often affects the lower back but can occur in the neck. If it presses on a nearby nerve, it can cause pain that radiates along the nerve, numbness or tingling, and muscle weakness, usually on one side. Neck discs often cause shoulder and arm pain, and lower back discs may cause pain in the buttock, thigh, calf, or foot. The cause is usually age-related wear, and often no specific cause is found. Mayo says symptoms typically improve over time and most people do not need surgery. Contact a healthcare professional if neck or back pain spreads to an arm or leg, or if you develop numbness, tingling, or weakness (Mayo Clinic, June 2026).
Mayo Clinic defines whiplash as a neck injury from forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. The most common cause is a rear-end car crash, and it can also happen in contact sports and falls. Symptoms usually begin within days and can include neck pain and stiffness, reduced range of motion, headaches that start at the base of the skull, pain in the shoulders, upper back, or arms, tingling or numbness in the arms, tiredness, and dizziness. Some people also have blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sleep problems, trouble focusing, or memory problems. Mayo advises seeing a healthcare professional after a car accident, sports injury, or other injury to rule out broken bones or other damage. Most people improve within a few weeks with pain medicine and exercise, though some have pain for months or years (Mayo Clinic, February 2024).
If you were hit in a crash, a head injury may have happened too. Lingering dizziness, fog, or light sensitivity are covered on our Post-Concussion Syndrome page.
Mayo Clinic defines a spinal cord injury as damage to any part of the spinal cord, which can cause lasting changes in strength, sensation, and other body functions below the injury, and may lead to paralysis. Causes include motor vehicle crashes, falls, violence, sports such as shallow-water diving, and medical conditions such as arthritis, cancer, infection, and disc degeneration. Mayo says treatment and rehabilitation allow many people with spinal cord injuries to lead productive, independent lives (Mayo Clinic, May 2026).
A spinal cord injury needs emergency, surgical, and specialist rehabilitation care. We do not provide that. After the injury is medically stable, we may be able to look at balance, coordination, and sensation as a complement to the rehabilitation team. We cannot reverse a structural injury.
Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. He is not a spine surgeon. Serious injury and nerve damage need a medical evaluation first. Beyond that, we look at how the neck, the joints, the surrounding muscles, and the nervous system are working together, including balance and eye movements when neck injury has caused dizziness or headaches. Care may include chiropractic care, myofascial work, and exercises designed to challenge the systems involved. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that low-to-moderate quality evidence suggests spinal manipulation may reduce the frequency and intensity of cervicogenic headaches (NCCIH, January 2023).
See our Neurological Exam & Evaluation, Chiropractic Care, and Myofascial Release pages.
Mayo Clinic advises seeing a healthcare professional after any injury with neck pain, to rule out broken bones or other damage. We are happy to see you after that. If you have emergency signs, go to the emergency department.
Mayo Clinic says most people improve within a few weeks, though some have symptoms for months or longer.
No. Mayo Clinic says most people do not need surgery.
They can contribute to both. See our pages on Vertigo & Balance and Migraine & Headache.
See our Chronic Pain page.
Next steps
If neck or back symptoms are holding you back,