In short
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by sudden back-and-forth movement, most often in a rear-end collision. It can cause neck pain, headaches, back pain and sometimes dizziness. Early, guided movement usually helps recovery.
Reviewed by Dr. Manan Patel, PT, DPT, TPS. Updated October 17, 2026.
Common symptoms
- Neck pain and stiffness, sometimes starting a day or two later
- Headaches
- Shoulder, upper back or low back pain
- Dizziness, visual strain or trouble concentrating
Not sure this matches? Use the 30-second pain finder or the full symptom self-check.
What causes whiplash?
Rear-end collisions are the most common cause, but falls, sports and workplace incidents can produce the same injury.
Dizziness or visual strain after a crash may point to post-concussion dizziness or neck-related dizziness, which Dr. Patel tests for as a Certified Vestibular Specialist. Arm tingling after a crash can be a pinched nerve.
Whiplash, concussion and vertigo: the connection
The same forces that strain the neck in a collision also jolt the head, the brain and the inner ear. That is why whiplash so often comes with symptoms that are not neck pain at all: dizziness, headaches, visual strain, brain fog and unsteadiness. These need their own testing, not just neck treatment.
- Concussion. A concussion does not require a direct blow to the head. A force to the body that jolts the head can cause one, and concussion guidelines recommend assessing the neck along with the balance and eye-movement systems.
- Neck-related (cervicogenic) dizziness. Injured neck joints and muscles can disturb the position signals your balance system relies on, causing unsteadiness that rises and falls with neck pain. It is identified by ruling out inner-ear and neurological causes first.
- Vertigo after a crash (BPPV). Head trauma is a recognized cause of BPPV, the loose inner-ear crystals that cause brief spinning when you lie down, roll over or look up. It usually responds to repositioning maneuvers, although it can take more sessions after an injury.
Because Dr. Patel is a Certified Vestibular Specialist as well as a certified Therapeutic Pain Specialist, your neck, inner ear, eye movements and balance are tested in the same 60-minute visit, using infrared video goggles and computerized balance testing, and every finding is documented. If you were hurt in a crash, see our auto accident and personal injury care.
Dizziness, headaches or brain fog after the accident?
Whiplash and concussion often happen together. Dizziness, visual strain and headaches after a crash can come from the neck, the inner ear or both, and we test for each in the same visit.
How we evaluate it
Your first visit is a full 60-minute, 1-on-1 evaluation with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and treatment often starts the same day. It can include:
- Neck, upper back and low back assessment
- Neurological screening
- Dizziness, eye-movement and balance screening
- Detailed documentation of findings
Your treatment plan
Protect and move
Gentle movement and clear education, avoiding prolonged rest or collar use.
Restore
Manual therapy plus mobility and strengthening for the neck and back.
Return
Return to driving, work and activity, with documentation for your physician and attorney.
Recovery and what to expect
Most people with whiplash improve within weeks to a few months. Guidelines recommend staying active and starting gentle exercise early rather than resting. We accept Auto MedPay, personal injury attorney liens and Workers' Compensation, with $0 out-of-pocket at your visit.
Tips for daily life
- Keep your neck moving gently within comfort
- Return to normal activities step by step
- Get dizziness, visual problems or memory issues checked
- Keep a simple diary of symptoms for your care team
When to get urgent care
Questions about whiplash
Do you accept auto accident cases?
Yes. We accept Auto MedPay, personal injury attorney liens (Letters of Protection) and Workers' Compensation, with $0 out-of-pocket at your visit, and we provide detailed documentation for your physician and attorney.
Why do I feel dizzy after a car accident?
A crash can affect the inner ear, eye movements and neck at the same time. As a Certified Vestibular Specialist, Dr. Patel tests for all three.
When should I start therapy after a car accident?
Once a doctor has ruled out a fracture or other serious injury, usually within days. Guidelines recommend staying active and starting gentle movement early rather than resting in a collar.
What if my symptoms started days after the accident?
That is common. Neck pain, headaches and dizziness can take hours to days to appear. Get checked by a doctor, then we can evaluate the neck, inner ear and eye movements.
Do you provide documentation for my attorney or insurer?
Yes. With your written authorization, we send evaluation and progress reports with objective findings to your physician, attorney or claims adjuster.
Related guides
- After a car accident: a guide to whiplash, concussion and dizzinessWhat to do after a crash, delayed symptoms, and how whiplash and concussion are treated.3 min read · Patients
- Concussion recovery: why complete rest isn't the answerWhy brief rest and gradual activity beat a dark room, and when to get rehab.3 min read · Patients
Browse all guides in our learning center
Related conditions
- Neck pain & cervicogenic headachesStiff, aching neck and headaches from the base of the skull.
- Pinched nerve in the neckPain, tingling or weakness running from the neck into the arm.
- Low back painAching, stiffness or sharp pain across the lower back.
- Persistent (chronic) painPain lasting 3+ months, treated with pain neuroscience.
References
- Blanpied PR, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2017.
- Carroll LJ, et al. 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. 2008.
- Patricios JS, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam 2022. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023.
- Quatman-Yates CC, et al. Physical Therapy Evaluation and Treatment After Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2020.
- Reiley AS, et al. How to diagnose cervicogenic dizziness. Archives of Physiotherapy. 2017.
- Bhattacharyya N, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (Update). Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 2017.
Where to get treated
Book at either clinic. Same phone number, same team, same 60-minute visits. In-network with Traditional Medicare, BCBS / Anthem and Tricare; Auto MedPay, injury liens and Workers' Comp accepted; or $129 flat-rate visits for self-pay patients and out-of-network plans, including Aetna, Cigna and UHC.
Cumming clinic
Off GA-400 Exit 13 on Peachtree Parkway
Cumming, GA 30041
Alpharetta clinic
Inside Georgia Brain & Spine Physical Therapy
Alpharetta, GA 30022
