In spite of its treacherous weather, Alaska ranks in the lower half of the U.S. States in terms of number of motor vehicle deaths per 100,000 capita per year. In 2023, for example, it had 8.2 deaths per 100,000 capita versus the State average across the U.S. of 12.2, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.1 Still, accidents can, and do, happen. Even to careful Alaskan drivers like yourself. And if an injury results, it may be time to contact your local Anchorage chiropractor.

Afterall, even low-speed accidents can cause whiplash and other related soft tissue injuries. In fact, sometimes injuries may not present until weeks after the initial accident. That’s why you should get a medical exam as soon as possible, even if it was only a minor wreck.

Don’t worry, though. We’re writing this short guide to help you navigate what to do should you suffer a car accident in Anchorage, AK. 

Below, you’ll find a brief discussion on each of the following:

  • Understanding Whiplash
  • What to Do Right After the Accident
  • How Chiropractic Care Helps Whiplash Recovery 
  • Other Trusted Anchorage Providers to Consider
  • Insurance & Documentation Tips
  • When To get Help
  • Why Anchorage Locals Trust Better Health Alaska Chiropractors

So, let’s dig in and get down to business.

Understanding Whiplash

One of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash is a neck injury that is caused by a rapid back-and-forth motion imputed to the neck by an external force. It is most often the result of a rear-end collision.

Typical symptoms of whiplash include any or all of the following:

  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Stiffness
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness

If you experience any of these after an accident it’s a good idea to contact a chiropractor – particularly one with experience in whiplash and car accident court procedures. You should also keep in mind that whiplash can start immediately or delay onset for multiple days.

What to Do Right After the Accident

The very first thing you should do in a car accident is to ensure the safety of everyone involved. You make sure no one has any obvious injuries or unusual reactions. From there, you should take several steps. You should move to safety, call 911, and then document the scene for legal reasons. Take pictures of the damaged vehicles and take note of whatever symptoms may have occurred.

Regardless of how well you feel, you should still seek medical attention. It’s a well-known fact that adrenaline can mask injuries, and regardless, whiplash may not present itself until many days after the crash. You should be able to find care at the ER at Providence Alaska Medical Center or the Alaska Regional Hospital. You can also try one of the urgent care centers at: 

  • Alaska Urgent Care
  • AFC Urgent Care Center
  • Immediate Care of Alaska

All throughout this process, you should keep detailed records. Keep copies of medical records, keep a pain journal, and take note of insurance information. This is helpful for both care reasons and legal claims.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Whiplash Recovery

If you are diagnosed with whiplash, seeing one of the many chiropractors in Anchorage, like our very own Dr. Brent Wells at Better Health Alaska Chiropractors, is a good choice for treatment.

A. What Chiropractors Do

Chiropractors are experts in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems of the body. They are often consulted in cases involving pain or injury to the neck and back. Although not limited to those areas of the body, they have many tools and methods at their disposal to treat these particular spots. They can:

  • Assess range of motion of the neck
  • Test muscle tension
  • Fix spinal misalignments
  • Identify muscle strain
  • And identify certain hidden injuries like joint dysfunction among others.

These tools and abilities make your Anchorage chiropractor well-suited to deal with the many complications that can arise from whiplash.

B. Evidence-Based Chiropractic Treatments

Like other medical disciplines, chiropractic is an evidence based field that uses science and research to formulate its approaches and treatments. In cases involving whiplash, chiropractors have a number of medical tools at their disposal that are supported by scientific evidence. A study by Fernández de las Penas, et al. on Science Direct, looked at the effectiveness of several treatment methods like spinal manipulation and mobilization, as well as soft tissue mobilization. It found “The manipulative protocol” was “effective in the management of whiplash injury.”2 

Another study on Taylor & Francis on-line that compared manipulative treatment for whiplash with physiotherapy treatment found that “Patients who had received manipulative treatment needed fewer sessions to complete the treatment than patients who had received physiotherapy treatment.” That is, it was more effective.3 

Another study on Taylor and Francis online examined the frequency of thoracic joint dysfunctions in whiplash patients and the effectiveness of dorsal manipulation in treating such patients. It found that “dorsal manipulation favours the clinical improvement in whiplash patients.” 4

C. What to Expect in Your First Visit

Some people may be a little anxious when visiting a medical professional for the first time. This is as true of chiropractors as it is of other doctors. But, it is nothing to be overly concerned with. Although everybody’s experience is different, there are some commonalities that arise in initial visits.

A patient’s first visit will begin with an initial assessment consisting of a history and an actual exam. From there, the next step is making a diagnosis, so that your Anchorage chiropractor, his team, and the patient him/herself know what they are dealing with. This, in turn, leads to the development of a treatment plan tailored to the specific needs of that patient. Then, as the plan is implemented over time, the chiropractor and his team will monitor the patient’s progress and adjust the plan as needed.

Here at Better Health Alaska Chiropractors in Anchorage, we’ve been dealing with whiplash cases for nearly thirty years now. We are well-familiar with the whiplash condition, how to treat it, and to monitor it throughout said treatment. We also know and understand the points of consideration that will best serve the patient in the courtroom, should it come to that.

It’s also worth mentioning that, should it be necessary, we can see many patients on the same day they make their appointment. This is made possible through our “Same Day Promise,” which guarantees you will be seen on the day the appointment is made, if you contact us before 4 p.m. 

Other Trusted Anchorage Providers to Consider

Although your Anchorage-based chiropractor has many tools at his/her disposal to help patients with whiplash, chiropractic treatments are not the only avenue available. There are a number of other types of treatment that can be used instead or, better yet, in addition to chiropractic care. 

A. Physical Therapists

Physical therapy is an excellent adjunct to chiropractic care. It is one of those treatments that amplifies and is amplified by chiropractic treatments. When used together, these two disciplines build off each other to be greater than one would normally expect. Physical therapy involves the use of special exercises to strengthen and build different muscles and muscle groups. It is also often used to enhance mobility. Many chiropractic clinics (like Better Health Alaska in Anchorage, for example) have physical therapists in their employ. This makes it easier for them to employ both methodologies at the same time.

B. Pain Management Clinics

Another option available to whiplash patients is a pain management clinic. There are several in the Anchorage area. These clinics offer a number of different modalities to treat persistent symptoms like nerve pain or headaches. These modalities can run the gamut from TENS therapy to acupuncture to massage and more.

Of course, when whiplash is involved, you shouldn’t forget the legal side of things. If another party is at fault in your car accident, hiring a local personal injury attorney should be one of the first things you do. He/she will help ensure that you have proper documentation and compensation.

Insurance & Documentation Tips

You’ll want proper documentation when dealing with insurance companies. Most auto insurance in Alaska does cover chiropractic care under PIP (Personal Injury Protection). But that’s no excuse to be lax in your documentation efforts. To that end, here are a few things to keep in mind and to document:

  • You’ll want to get referrals, if required
  • You’ll want to make sure all invoices are itemized
  • You’ll want to coordinate with your claims adjuster

When to Get Help

The thing to be most aware of, though, is your medical condition. Whiplash is one of those conditions that can lurk under the surface for days or even weeks before really becoming a problem. Here are some indications you should seek medical care from a chiropractor or your general practitioner as soon as possible.

  • If you experience pain lasting more than a few days.
  • If you feel numbness or tingling anywhere in your body
  • If you experience headaches that continue to worsen
  • Or you have trouble sleeping or concentrating.

And remember, if you should get such care, make sure everything is documented.

Why Anchorage Locals Trust Better Health Alaska Chiropractors

Better Health Alaska has been serving the Anchorage area since 1998. We’ve treated well over 20,000 patients for a variety of conditions in that time. We have our fair share of experience dealing with whiplash and related injuries from car accidents and such. We’ll be happy to refer you to another doctor when needed, or to assist you and your attorney with the appropriate paperwork.

On staff, in addition to multiple chiropractors, we have physical therapists, massage therapists, and more. We all work together to make sure you get the best treatment possible. So, reach out today.

If you’ve been in a car accident in the Anchorage area, don’t wait for your symptoms to get worse. Book a same-day consultation now. We’re Better Health Alaska, the top chiropractic clinic in Anchorage, and we can help. Call us today at (833) 467-3409. You won’t regret it.

Studies and Sources

  1. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, July 2025, “Fatality Statistics: State by state,” IIHS,
    https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state#yearly-snapshot 
  2. César Fernández de las Peñas, et al.,”Manual treatment of post-whiplash injury,” Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, Volume 9, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 109-119, ISSN 1360-8592,
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1360859204000282 
  3. Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C. et al., (2004). Manipulative Treatment vs. Conventional Physiotherapy Treatment in Whiplash Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders, 3(2), 73–90. 
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/J180v03n02_06 
  4. Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Fernández-Carnero, J., Fernández, A. P., Lomas-Vega, R., & Miangolarra-Page, J. C. (2004). Dorsal Manipulation in Whiplash Injury Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Whiplash & Related Disorders, 3(2), 55–72.
    https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/J180v03n02_05