What to expect from physiotherapy for whiplash

Your physiotherapist may ask how the injury happened, where discomfort travels, how sleep and work are affected, and whether you have dizziness, headache or arm symptoms. They may observe neck and upper-back movement, muscle control, posture and shoulder motion. Treatment can include comfortable range-of-motion exercises, breathing or relaxation strategies, hands-on techniques, and advice about changing positions during the day. The aim is to restore useful movement without repeatedly provoking symptoms.

Follow the home programme at the agreed frequency and keep movements within the range your clinician has set. Short, regular activity is often easier to tolerate than one demanding session. Use work, driving and screen-position advice to reduce prolonged neck strain, and tell the therapist if an exercise causes new arm weakness, spreading numbness or a marked flare that does not settle. Progress may involve more controlled neck movement, shoulder and upper-back strengthening, balance work, or a gradual return to normal tasks.

Seek urgent medical assessment after a neck injury if you develop worsening weakness, loss of feeling in an arm or leg, trouble walking, severe or increasing headache, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, or problems controlling your bladder or bowel. Contact your treating clinician promptly for pain that escalates, new visual or balance symptoms, or symptoms that are not following the agreed recovery plan. These signs need assessment rather than a more intense exercise session.

Ask which movements are appropriate now, how to modify your work or driving routine, what response after exercise is acceptable, and how progress will be measured. You can also ask when review is needed if headaches, dizziness or arm symptoms continue.