Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the head — most often from a road traffic accident, but also from sports collisions and falls. It can cause neck pain, stiffness and headaches that affect work, driving and sleep.
Understanding whiplash: causes and treatment
Whiplash happens when the head is thrown rapidly in one direction and back again, overstretching the soft tissues of the neck. The injury can involve the muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves of the cervical spine.
Most whiplash settles well with the right advice and early, gentle movement. Left unmanaged, though, pain and stiffness can linger and become a longstanding problem. A physiotherapy assessment identifies which structures are involved and rules out anything more serious.
A correct diagnosis is essential to focus treatment on what is actually driving your symptoms.
Common causes and symptoms of whiplash include:
Get it assessed early
Seek help early
Gentle movement and early physiotherapy help whiplash settle faster, reduce the chance of long-term stiffness, and give you a clear plan rather than resting and hoping it passes.
It is linked to your neck
Whiplash symptoms can spread to the head, shoulders and arms. A thorough assessment pinpoints the source and rules out anything that needs more urgent attention. See also our neck pain page.
Physiotherapy assessment for whiplash
Your initial physiotherapy appointment will consist of two key components:
Subjective assessment
A detailed discussion about how your symptoms started, what you feel, how they affect your daily activities, work and sleep, and any relevant medical history. We will also explore your personal treatment goals.
Objective assessment
A physical examination of your neck movement and muscle strength and, where relevant, neurological testing of sensation, reflexes and power in the arms, along with special tests to identify the structures involved.
At The Treatment Table, every assessment is thorough, giving you a clear diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.
Treatment tailored to you
Your treatment will depend on the cause and stage of your whiplash but may include:
Advice and early, gentle movement
Joint mobilisation
Soft tissue therapy
Massage
Acupuncture
Neck strengthening exercises
Posture and ergonomics advice
Graded return to activity
At The Treatment Table, we understand that whiplash can affect driving, work and sleep. Our tailored treatment aims to reduce pain, restore movement and get you back to normal, while lowering the chance of ongoing problems.
Book your whiplash assessment
If you are experiencing whiplash after an accident or injury, a specialist physiotherapy assessment can give you the diagnosis and treatment plan you need.
Whiplash is a common neck injury that usually responds well to early physiotherapy. A thorough assessment identifies the structures involved, leading to a treatment plan that reduces pain and restores confident movement.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact The Treatment Table on 0151 559 1107 or email info@thetreatmenttable.com.
Book your assessment