Sports-Related Concussions, Whiplash & Chronic Neck Tension — Minnesota Movement Chiropractic (Excelsior, MN)

If you play sports long enough, your neck is eventually going to hate you at some point. Between headers in soccer, wrestling takedowns, a bad fall on the ski hill, or that one pick-up basketball game where your buddy forgot how gravity works—athletes take some wild hits. And while “whiplash” sounds like a car-accident problem, the truth is this: sports create more neck sprains, concussions, and lingering headaches than half of the fender-benders happening in Minnesota.

At Minnesota Movement Sports Chiropractic in Excelsior, we specialize in treating sports-related concussions, neck tension, post-whiplash athletic injuries, and chronic headaches—the stuff that stops athletes, weekend warriors, and high-performers from moving, lifting, and living at full speed.

Common Symptoms We Treat

  • Persistent headaches or pressure behind the eyes

  • Neck tension and stiffness (classic "I can’t turn my head to check blind spots" feeling)

  • Concussion symptoms: fogginess, light sensitivity, dizziness, irritability

  • Upper back and shoulder tightness

  • TMJ pain or jaw tension

  • Reduced neck rotation or pain with looking down

  • Numbness or tingling from irritated cervical nerves

Common Causes & Injury Mechanisms

  • Falls during skiing, snowboarding, or skating

  • Contact sports: football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, wrestling

  • Rapid acceleration/deceleration in lifting or sprinting

  • Awkward hits or body rotation during court sports (pickleball, tennis, basketball)

  • Chronic postural strain from work + training fatigue

  • Poor recovery habits, stress, or sleep deprivation

  • Weak deep neck flexors + overactive upper traps (hello, desk athletes)

How We Treat Sports Concussions, Whiplash & Neck Pain

At our clinic, your treatment isn’t “ice, rest, and hope you magically feel better.” We get specific, targeted, and strategic so you can return to sport stronger rather than scared to move.

Treatments may include:

  • Manual Muscle Therapy to reduce tension in the traps, levator scap, SCM, scalenes

  • Active Release Technique (ART) for soft tissue restrictions

  • Functional Dry Needling to mitigate the spasm of muscles in the neck and upper trap

  • Chiropractic Adjustments (only when mobility is truly limited—most neck pain requires more stability, not more cracking)

  • Cervical Stability & Corrective Exercises

  • Cervical Traction when nerve irritation is present

  • RockTape to assist posture and reduce muscle guarding

  • Return-to-Play Progressions for athletes recovering from concussion

 

Expected Recovery Timelines

  • Mild neck sprain / muscular tension: 2–4 weeks

  • Moderate whiplash / sports impact injury: 4–8 weeks

  • Concussion (mild–moderate): 2–6 weeks with proper rehab

  • Chronic tension headaches: Improve in 3–6 visits on average

  • Cervical nerve irritation from disc involvement: 6–12 weeks, depending on severity

Most athletes start feeling noticeably better within 2–3 sessions once mobility, stability, and soft tissue work are combined.

Patient Testimonial

“I struggled with neck pain and headaches for 6 months after a nasty ski fall. Apparently I’m not 15 anymore! The Sports Chiropractors at Minnesota Movement had me back to skiing, lifting, and sleeping through the night in 3 weeks.” — Stacy P., Deephaven, MN

Neck pain or lingering post-concussion symptoms slowing you down? Book an evaluation at our Excelsior clinic and let’s get you moving again.

Book your New Patient Exam Today!