Whiplash

Whiplash can lead to ongoing pain, stiffness and reduced confidence in movement. We help guide your recovery and support long term outcomes.

north coast head neck and jaw centre ballina osteopath Leon Erdrich treating a patient for whiplash in their northern rivers clinic in Ballina, NSW

Understanding whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden forceful movement, most commonly from car accidents, contact sport or falls. It can affect the joints, muscles, discs and nerves in the neck and upper back.

Symptoms do not always appear straight away, and can develop over hours or days. In some cases, symptoms can persist for weeks or months if not properly addressed.

Our goal is to reduce pain, restore function and help you move with confidence again.

Not all neck pain is caused by injury. Learn more about general neck pain and how we treat it.

What Symptoms Can Look Like

Whiplash can present with a range of symptoms, including:

Neck pain and stiffness

Headaches at the base of the skull

Shoulder or upper back discomfort

Pain or tingling down the arms

Fatigue or difficulty concentrating

Sensitivity to movement or pressure

Reduced range of motion

How we assess and diagnose

We begin by taking a detailed history of the incident, your symptoms and how they are affecting you day to day. This includes reviewing any imaging or medical reports if available.

Our physical assessment checks the movement of your neck, upper back and shoulders, along with muscle tension and nerve function. We may also assess balance and eye tracking if symptoms are affecting coordination or concentration.

This helps us build a clear picture of what areas need support and how best to structure your treatment.

How osteopathy can help

Osteopathic care for whiplash often involves gentle manual techniques to reduce muscle tension, restore joint mobility and calm the nervous system. We focus on helping you move more freely without flaring symptoms.

Rehabilitation exercises are an important part of care. These may include movement retraining, posture support and exercises to improve balance or neck strength depending on your needs.

We also provide education around pacing, recovery expectations and what you can do at home to support progress between sessions.

Getting started

If you are recovering from an injury and experiencing whiplash symptoms, we are here to help. Book an appointment or contact us to learn more about your options.