Recovering from whiplash

After your injury it is important to see your doctor. Your doctor will do a medical check and advise you about treatment. In most cases x-rays and other tests are not needed for whiplash.

You may be asked to complete some questions about pain and any difficulties you are having. Your doctor will use this information to recommend treatment or medication for pain.

Talk to your doctor about how you can keep working and doing your usual activities during your recovery. Your doctor might suggest that you see a health professional, who will treat your symptoms and give you neck exercises to help with your recovery.

Try to keep doing your usual daily activities as much as you can. This will help you get better. Remember that some pain and discomfort is normal during the recovery process.

At first you might need to change the way you do some activities. Be creative and find new ways so you don't strain your neck. Examples are:

• Change the side you carry things like your child, laptop or gym bag.
• Make more trips so you carry less when you are shopping, carrying garden supplies or moving boxes at work.
• Change your posture more often, or get up and move around. Do this when you are working on your computer, watching TV or having dinner with friends and family.
• Do your usual activities over a few days rather than all at once. Vacuum one room each day or mow one section of the garden at a time.
• Use a step ladder to improve your position and avoid reaching overhead.
• Use a snorkel and goggles to swim if it is hard to turn your head to breathe.
• Lift the handlebars on your bike so you can change your posture.

It is also helpful to do some neck exercises. The recommended exercises are very gentle and usually take about 10 minutes each day to complete.

We have some neck exercises you can try, but ask your doctor or health professional about the best exercises for you.

Whiplash videos