Question
hello. I have been faithfully going to my chiropractor for a few years (originally for low back pain) One month ago, I was in a car accident and have whiplash. I have found that after my neck adjustments I am irritable, tearful and depressed. These feelings last for about a day and then return after my adjustment.( I go three times a week for adjustments)  Is this in my head? I am embarrassed to ask my chiropractor. Thank you
Anna  

Answer
Anna,

Cognitive and emotional changes are very common following whiplash as well as head trauma.  I would suggest you mention it to your chiropractor.  He/she has read about it and should be familiar with it.  Ask to avoid any forcefull neck joint manipulation for a while, and instead focus on massaging, mobilization, and exercises - which, according to the literature, should work just as well in many instances.  Also, recent research has demonstrated that psychologic/cognitive intervention can significantly reduce your pain perception and the amount of medical care you utilize.  Find a psychologist and obtain "neurofeedback" training (it's like biofeedback) as well as some counselling.  Lastly, whiplash injuries require a lot more than just neck adjustments, so I hope you are getting soft tissue therapies and exercise, too. Three times per week is not uncommon in the early stages of care, and re-examination must be performed about every 3-5 weeks, to include pain-pictures, questionnaires that you fill out such as a Neck Disability Index (see my website to download the NDI).  So, Anna, it's in your head - literally - and is not an abnormal symptom of whiplash.  Please bring it up with your doctor and address a course of action to treat and monitor it, and to look forward to its resolve.  

'Hope this was helpful.

Dr. G
www.drgillman.com