The Three Stretches You Should Avoid After a Car Accident
After a car accident muscles progressively shorten and tighten in the days that follow. Â It is a protection mechanism that the body uses to guard against the next possible unexpected impact. Â Most patients mistakenly take that sensation of “tightness” as sign that prolonged stretching is needed. Â In reality, those tissues were likely injured by excessive stretching and the last thing that will help them is more stretching. Â What is needed is a medical examination, a diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan including massage and progressive active range of motion and exercise.
If you google searched “neck stretches” the following three stretches were in the top post listed:
These 3 stretches would aggravate the typical auto accident whiplash by compressing the spine and pulling injured tissues that are trying to heal.
To initiate self-care, instead of stretching, mobilize.  Work your spine through the range of full, pain-free active range of motion.  Also, begin to reintegrate spinal stabilizing musculature.  Begin with Cat-Camel, Quadruped and Dead bug.
Even what appears to be a minor injury from a car accident can result in permanent changes to the spine so be sure to have an experienced staff perform a full medical exam as one of your first steps of action following a car crash.