Patricia Downey, D.C.

Motor vehicle collisions (MVC) usually result in injuries to the neck and upper back. However, there are often other complaints that can occur immediately or after a delayed time frame. The mechanism of injury or "how did the accident happen?" is very important in this regard. For example, a low-speed crash that occurs at 5-10 [..]

Does this sound familiar? It’s a fictional but a rather typical scenario affecting thousands of American drivers: "Last week, I was waiting at a red light and a car came up from behind and ran into the back end of my car. It was a low-speed collision without a lot of damage to either of [..]

Is the speed of a car crash directly proportional to amount of injury sustained by the occupants? One would expect more injury to occur when the speed of the collision is faster and sometimes, this is the case – especially when car accidents occur at highway speeds. But what about patients who end up in [..]

While it is hard prevent someone from crashing their car into yours, there are some things you can do to minimize you risk for a serious whiplash injury if and when a collision occurs.The first preventive measure is making sure your seat is upright and the head rest touches the top of your head. If [..]

The nervous system is the master control network for your body, directing virtually every function and action from monitoring your life needs to precisely responding to threats to your health. Each system—from your cardiovascular system to your digestive and immune systems—is directed through nerve impulses originating in your brain or spinal cord that travel through [..]

Shoulder pain following an automobile collision is probably more common than you think. Whiplash injuries, especially serious ones, are notorious for causing pain and disability beyond the neck. Whiplash is considered a full-body disorder and symptoms can range from pain to dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Depending on the type of collision and what type of [..]

Shoulder pain following an automobile collision is probably more common than you think. Whiplash injuries, especially serious ones, are notorious for causing pain and disability beyond the neck. Whiplash is considered a full-body disorder and symptoms can range from pain to dizziness, headache, and fatigue. Depending on the type of collision and what type of [..]

The neck is the most flexible part of your spine and just like any other area of the body, movement exercises and good posture are important for maintaining its health. Neck pain can be brought on or aggravated by how you treat this vital structure. We often neglect our neck when it comes to exercise, [..]

Whiplash and neck pain are complex injuries involving the delicate soft tissues and the nerves of your neck. Usually, motor vehicle accidents are responsible for these types of traumas and even low-speed collisions can produce significant injury. People with these types of injuries may have back pain, arm pain, and even headaches or dizziness/vertigo. Some [..]

Most states require drivers to carry various types of insurance to protect themselves as well as others who may be involved in an unfortunate accident. Drivers (and the institutions that may carry the car's loan) generally think of the vehicle first when deciding on appropriate coverage. While it's difficult to think about, you need to [..]