In order to diagnose whiplash, Dr. Cook begins with a consultation and exam to determine the extent of your injuries. He asks about your accident, the angle of impact, and how fast you and the other driver were traveling when the impact occurred.
Dr. Cook then measures your range of motion and pressures on your neck, shoulders, and back to assess for tenderness, swelling, and discomfort. Additional orthopedic tests are performed to assess the stability of your spine and look for potential ligament and muscle damage.
If appropriate, Dr. Cook takes X-rays of your neck in the office. These X-rays can show telltale signs of spinal instability that signify ligament damage. Based on his findings, Dr. Cook explains your diagnosis and outlines a treatment plan to help you.