Whiplash physiotherapy in Cairns

Conveniently located close to the Edge Hill Hub

179 Jensen Street, Whitfield, QLD, 4870

Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Free Parking Available

Whiplash physio cairns

Don’t let your whiplash injury lead to long-term or chronic shoulder, upper back or neck pain!

By seeking physiotherapy assessment for a whiplash injury early, you can support your return to activity and help manage the risk of developing chronic, long-term pain. However, even if you already have an ongoing history of pain from a whiplash injury, the team at Proactive Physiotherapy are here to help.

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash is the general term for any injury to the tendons, muscles and soft tissues in your neck. It’s usually caused by a vigorous and sudden movement of your head or body in one direction, immediately followed by movement in the opposite direction.

This sudden movement can be backwards, forwards or sideways and is most commonly caused by:

  • The impact of a car accident, especially when a car hits you from behind

  • Snowboarding and skiing accidents

  • Amusement park rides

  • Contact sports injuries

  • Falls

  • Physical abuse, assaults and attacks

  • Head banging

Whiplash is a musculoskeletal injury that causes microtrauma in your neck and subsequently leads to neck pain and a range of other symptoms.

What are the common symptoms of whiplash?

Although you might immediately experience the effects of whiplash after sustaining an injury, in many cases symptoms might take hours, or even days, to appear.

If you have whiplash you may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury:

  • Pain, tenderness or stiffness in your neck muscles with reduced range of motion

  • Headache that often starts in the base of your skull

  • Pain and aching in your shoulder or between your shoulder blades

  • Lower back pain

  • Body stiffness, especially when waking in the morning

  • Tingling, pins and needles, pain or numbness in your arms and your hands

  • DizzinessBlurred vision

  • Difficulty concentrating or remembering

  • Fatigue, irritability and sleep disturbances

How physiotherapy treats whiplash injuries

At Proactive Physiotherapy our experienced physiotherapists can assess your neck, upper back, shoulders and upper limbs to determine an appropriate treatment plan for your whiplash injury.

We aim to show you pain modulation techniques and strength exercises designed to help manage your pain symptoms, support physical function, and help reduce the risk of long-term neck and upper limb concerns.

Our physiotherapy treatment for whiplash involves a mix of passive and active treatments designed to support your recovery from whiplash.

Passive treatments we may use include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapies, and ultrasound to support blood circulation and natural healing processes, while active treatments for whiplash include exercises for strength, movement, and postural support to help manage muscle spasms, support circulation, and promote tissue recovery.

Ready to take the next step?

Book an assessment today!

No referral needed