Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden movement of the head. It usually gets better within 2 to 3 months.
Whiplash most often happens after a traffic accident or a slip or fall.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
It can take several hours for the symptoms to start after you injure your neck.
These symptoms could be caused by damage to the nerves in your neck or back.
A GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller such as codeine.
If your symptoms do not get any better after a few weeks, a GP may refer you to:
Physiotherapy from the NHS may not be available in your area and waiting times can be long. You can also get physiotherapy privately.