Health Blog: Solutions & Wellness Tips

Imagine your head as a bowling ball perched on top of a flexible straw. Now picture that straw being violently whipped back and forth. This is whiplash, a traumatic event that happens in a few seconds but can continue to bother you for months or years. More than 40% of people who experience whiplash develop long–term symptoms, including persistent neck pain, stiffness, dizziness, and even difficulty using the arms due to nerve involvement. These are collectively known as whiplash–associated disorders (WADs), which can prove to be a nuisance for the many patients who experience them.

The good news? Physical therapy can be a game–changer for those struggling with chronic WADs. Research has shown that neck–specific exercises, commonly used in physical therapy, significantly improve neck function and reduce disability–far better than general physical activity.

WADs are like ‘invisible injuries’ that still do plenty of damage

When WADs occur, patients often experience a puzzling array of complaints: neck pain that radiates into the shoulders and arms, headaches at the base of the skull, dizziness that makes it difficult to move or function, and a fog that settles over thinking and memory. Some patients also describe strange sensations—like tingling, burning, or numbness—traveling down their arms to their fingertips, as if their nerves seem to be malfunctioning.

WADs typically emerge from rapid changes in acceleration and deceleration forces. Rear–end vehicle collisions that quickly catapult the head forward then backward are the most common culprits, but they can also occur from sports injuries, falls, or amusement park rides. The severity often depends on factors like:

• Positioning: A turned head fares worse.


• Awareness: Tensed muscles resist better than relaxed ones.


• Age: Younger necks typically recover faster.


• Pre–existing conditions: Unique vulnerabilities impact recovery.

Exercises that target the muscles around the neck lead to significant improvements

Treatments for WADs should not only alleviate pain and dysfunction but also prevent future complications. Physical therapy—which typically includes neck–specific exercises along with other interventions—is among the most commonly recommended approaches for WADs, but long–term data on its effectiveness is lacking. Therefore, a rigorous study, known as a randomized controlled trial, was conducted to compare the effectiveness of three different interventions for WADs.

For the study, researchers randomly assigned 216 patients with chronic (long–term) WADs to undergo one of three interventions for 12 months:

• Neck–specific exercise (NSE): A structured program focusing on strengthening deep and superficial neck muscles to improve endurance and mobility.


• Neck–specific exercise with a behavioral approach (NSEB): The same exercises as the NSE group, but with added psychological strategies to address the mental component of their symptoms and educate patients on pain management.


• Prescribed physical activity (PPA): A program that included only general fitness exercise recommendations—like walking and swimming—with no focus on the neck.

Results showed that both the NSE and NSEB groups saw significant improvements compared to the PPA group. Participants in the NSE and NSEB groups experienced:

• Better neck muscle endurance


• Improved range of motion with less disability


• Less pain during physical tests

Grip strength didn’t differ significantly between groups, but patients in the PPA group who had poor neck function actually reported worse disability over time.

How physical therapy helps with recovery

Under the care of a physical therapist, NSEs are integrated into a personalized treatment program designed to alleviate symptoms and improve neck function. While the specific details of each program vary, all work towards achieving the following goals:

• Targeted strengthening: By focusing on the muscles that support the neck, therapy helps restore proper movement and stability.


• Pain management techniques: Hands–on therapy techniques like manipulation and gentle mobilization help reduce stiffness and discomfort.


• Improved range of motion: Specific stretches and guided movements help regain flexibility and prevent stiffness from worsening.


• Education and support: Many patients avoid movement due to fear of pain, which can worsen their condition; physical therapists provide education and support to build confidence and promote healing.

Don’t let pain and stiffness hold you back any longer. Call us today!

Living with chronic neck pain from whiplash isn't just frustrating–it can impact your daily activities, work, and overall wellbeing. But as this research shows, the right kind of exercise can help you regain control and get back to doing what you love. If you're struggling with WADs, our physical therapists can guide you every step of the way to rebuild strength, improve mobility, and reduce discomfort.

Contact us today to take the first step toward a pain–free future, and read more about the featured study on the journal's website.