Whiplash is a specific kind of head and neck pain that is the result of a rapid foward-and-backward displacement of the skull on the neck. Simply put, whiplash happens when the head is thrown forward and backward.
Whiplash pain can be felt in the head, the neck, and in the shoulders. Whiplash pain may be accompanied by headaches, dizziness, nausea, and numerous other symptoms. The variety in symptoms and the broad area in which the pain may be felt is due to the interconnected nature of the skull, the neck, and the shoulders. These structures are well-reinforced by muscles, nerves, and arteries that contribute to the stability of the neck and shoulders, as well as the appropriate alignment of the head. Whiplash injuries account for up to 83% of all collision‑related musculoskeletal complaints (Sterling, 2014), and is common because even low‑speed impacts can generate forces that exceed the tolerance of cervical soft tissues (Chen et. al., 2009).
When the head is thrown forward and backward or side to side, the muscles in the neck, the base of the skull, and the top of the shoulders all experience spasm and tightening. This is a guarding response against trauma, to protect the spine from injury. Unfortunately, this tightness and guarding may persist long after the initial incident, and the ongoing pain and discomfort has the potential to severely impact the quality of life of the person who suffered the accident, as between 50% and 75% of individuals with acute whiplash report multi‑region pain, rather than pain isolated to the neck alone (Carroll et al., 2008), while up to 30% of people with whiplash develop chronic symptoms lasting longer than six months (Walton et al., 2013).
Further to this, whiplash pain is commonly accompanied by headaches that can be felt in the back, the front, or the sides of the scalp. This onset of symptoms can be confronting to people who do not normally experience headache., and more than 60% of individuals with whiplash reporting cervicogenic or tension‑type headaches (Jull et al., 2011) following the inciting event. For this and other reasons, evidence‑based physiotherapy, reassurance, and guided movement strategies form the foundation of effective management, where active rehabilitation has been found to lead to better outcomes than rest alone (Rebbeck, 2017).
How your discomfort is managed depends on several factors: what’s causing it, how it feels and changes throughout the day, what tends to ease or aggravate it, and how long you’ve been experiencing it. These points will be explored during your initial assessment, which is the first step toward reducing and managing pain. Your treatment plan will be tailored to the underlying cause, with a focus on easing discomfort, improving pain-free movement, and creating strategies to lower the chance of future flare-ups.
At Atlas Physio, we provide education, structured management, and ongoing monitoring of your progress both in the clinic and at home. To keep care accessible, we’re open seven days a week with evening appointments available. We also offer bulk billing for eligible clients and no gap fees for WorkCover or TAC clients. Get in touch today to take the first step toward living more comfortably and confidently, supported by care that is practical, reliable, and designed to deliver lasting results.
REFERENCES
Carroll, L. J., Holm, L. W., Hogg-Johnson, S., Côté, P., Cassidy, J. D., Haldeman, S., Nordin, M., Hurwitz, E. L., Carragee, E. J., van der Velde, G., Peloso, P. M., Guzman, J., & Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders (2008). Course and prognostic factors for neck pain in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD): results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine, 33(4 Suppl), S83–S92.
Chen, H. B., Yang, K. H., & Wang, Z. G. (2009). Biomechanics of whiplash injury. Chinese journal of traumatology, 12(5), 305–314.
Jull, G., Sterling, M., Falla, D., Treleaven, J., & O’Leary, S. (2011). Whiplash, headache, and neck pain: Research‑based directions for physical therapies (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
Rebbeck, T. (2017). The role of exercise and patient education in the noninvasive management of whiplash. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), 481-491.
Sterling, M. (2014). Physiotherapy management of whiplash‑associated disorders (WAD). Journal of Physiotherapy, 60(1), 5–12.
Walton, D. M., Pretty, J., MacDermid, J. C., & Teasell, R. W. (2009). Risk factors for persistent problems following whiplash injury: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 39(5), 334–350.