Whiplash: what it is and how we help

Whiplash at a glance

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden jolt of the head forwards and backwards, most often in a rear-end car accident, but also in falls and contact sport. It strains the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck. Most people recover within a few weeks to three months, and staying gently active is the most important part of recovery.

Symptoms of whiplash

• Neck pain and stiffness, often starting hours or a day after the injury
• Headaches starting at the base of the skull
• Pain and tension across the shoulders and upper back
• Tingling in the arms, tiredness, dizziness or poor concentration in some people

How is whiplash treated?

A doctor or A&E will first check for injuries that need imaging. For uncomplicated whiplash, the advice is to keep moving, use pain relief as needed and return to normal activities as soon as possible. Soft collars are no longer recommended, because keeping the neck still slows recovery.

How we help with whiplash in Chiswick

• Physiotherapy: graded neck and shoulder exercise, plus balance and eye movement work if dizziness persists.
• Manual therapy: gentle mobilisation and soft tissue work to ease muscle spasm.
• Acupuncture: an option for short-term relief of neck pain and headache.
• Vestibular First: assessment for dizziness and balance problems after a neck injury.
• Red light therapy: recovery support for injured soft tissue.

What does the evidence say?

Early, active exercise leads to better outcomes than rest or collars. Most people improve significantly within three months. Fear of movement and high early pain are the strongest predictors of slower recovery, which is why reassurance and a clear plan matter.

What does whiplash feel like, and why does it start later?

Many people feel fine at the scene and notice pain and stiffness the next morning. That delay is normal: strained muscles and ligaments become inflamed and guarded over the following hours. Typical feelings are an aching, tight neck that is hard to turn, headaches spreading up from the base of the skull and a heavy, tense feeling across the shoulders. Some people also feel tired, foggy or slightly dizzy for the first days.

How long does whiplash last?

Most people are much better within a few weeks, and the majority recover within three months. A smaller group has symptoms that last longer, which is more likely if the early pain was severe, if there were arm symptoms or if worry about the injury leads to avoiding movement. Symptoms lasting beyond six weeks deserve a structured assessment, because targeted exercise at this stage helps prevent long-term neck pain.

Dizziness, headaches and concentration after whiplash

A neck injury can disturb the signals the neck sends to the balance system, causing unsteadiness or a feeling that the world is moving. Headaches and difficulty concentrating are also common, especially if a head knock or concussion happened at the same time. These symptoms usually improve with specific eye, balance and neck exercises, so they are worth mentioning rather than putting up with.

What to expect at Omnia

Your physiotherapist asks how the injury happened and checks neck movement, strength, nerve function in the arms and, where needed, balance and eye movements. You leave with gentle exercises and a clear plan for returning to work, driving and exercise. We can provide treatment notes on request if you are making an insurance claim, and we refer back to your GP if anything needs imaging.

What you can do at home

• Move your neck gently through comfortable ranges several times a day
• Use heat to ease muscle tension
• Return to work and normal activity gradually
• Keep a record of symptoms if you are making an insurance claim

Once whiplash has been assessed, our guide to neck pain exercises sets out a safe home programme to restore movement and strength.

For a recovery timeline and what helps, see our guide to how long whiplash lasts.

Related: neck and shoulder pain and balance and dizziness. Whiplash rehabilitation is available at Omnia Lifestyle, Chiswick W4, two minutes from Turnham Green. Book online or call 020 4515 0000.