Does physiotherapy treat whiplash?

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. Neck pain and stiffness may occur with headaches, shoulder discomfort or reduced confidence moving. A physiotherapist can assess neck mobility, posture, muscle endurance and movements that reproduce symptoms. Care may include gentle exercises, posture advice, shoulder and upper-back strengthening, and a paced return to driving, work or usual activity. Treatment should be adjusted when symptoms change rather than forced through sharp pain.

Keep moving within a comfortable range and avoid long periods in one fixed neck position. Follow the exercise plan you are given and build activity gradually, allowing symptoms to guide the pace. Heat or other comfort measures may be suggested for some people. The Physiotherapy page explains what to expect from rehabilitation sessions; the Whiplash page provides condition-focused information.

After a neck injury, seek urgent assessment for new weakness, numbness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, confusion or fainting. Emergency care is also needed for breathing difficulty or loss of bladder or bowel control. Arrange review when pain is worsening, movement is becoming more limited or symptoms are not improving as expected.

Ask when to start or progress exercises, whether you can drive safely, how to modify work or screen time, and which symptoms should trigger another examination.