Does manual therapy treat whiplash?

Whiplash can strain muscles and other neck tissues after a sudden back-and-forth movement. A therapist may use gentle hands-on work to ease muscle guarding and help neck movement. Forceful techniques are not suitable for everyone, especially soon after an injury or when symptoms suggest another problem. An assessment helps determine safe treatment.

Keep the neck moving within a comfortable range unless a clinician has told you otherwise. A rehabilitation plan may include posture advice, prescribed neck exercises, gradual return to usual activity and manual therapy. Avoid self-manipulating the neck. Tell the clinician about the collision, head impact, previous neck problems, dizziness or arm symptoms.

Arrange medical assessment after a significant collision or if neck pain and stiffness are not improving. Seek urgent help for severe headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, new weakness or numbness, difficulty walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Ask whether the neck has been assessed for injury, which manual techniques are safe, what movement is encouraged, and when driving or work can resume.