September 30, 2025
Medical Reviewer: Dylan Saulsbery, DC, DIBCN, DIBE, CBIS
Learn the common symptoms of whiplash – neck pain, stiffness, headaches and more. Find out when to see a doctor and how long recovery takes.
Whiplash is a neck injury that happens when your head is thrown backward and forward quickly. It often occurs in car accidents or falls. Even though it’s called “whiplash,” the symptoms can affect more than just your neck.
One tricky part about whiplash is that symptoms don’t always show up right away. You may feel fine after an accident, only to wake up sore the next day.
If you’ve recently had an accident or sudden jolt, watch for these signs:
Whiplash symptoms may appear within hours but sometimes they don’t start until the next day or two. This delay is why many people don’t realize right away that they’ve been injured.
See a doctor immediately if you have:
Prompt treatment can prevent symptoms from getting worse.
Q: What are the first signs of whiplash?
Ans: The first signs are usually neck pain and stiffness, along with headaches or shoulder soreness.
Q: Do you have to hit your head to have whiplash?
Ans: No. Whiplash occurs from a sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck, often in car accidents. This force can strain muscles, ligaments and discs without any direct head impact.
Q: Can whiplash lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Ans: Yes. The rapid motion that causes whiplash can also cause the brain to shift inside the skull, potentially leading to a mild TBI like a concussion—even without hitting the head.
Q: How long after an accident do whiplash symptoms start?
Ans: They can start within a few hours but sometimes take a day or two to appear.
Q: What does whiplash feel like?
Ans: Whiplash often feels like a stiff, sore neck with headaches and pain that may spread to your shoulders, back, or arms.
Q: Can whiplash cause tingling or numbness?
Ans: Yes. Whiplash can irritate nerves, causing tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms or hands.
Q: How serious is whiplash?
Ans: Most cases heal in two to four weeks, but severe whiplash can last for months. Serious cases need medical care.
Q: Can whiplash cause headaches?
Ans: Yes. Headaches that begin at the base of your skull are one of the most common whiplash symptoms.
Q: How long does whiplash last?
Ans: Mild cases often improve in a few weeks. Severe cases can last for several months or longer.
Whiplash is more than just a sore neck. Symptoms like stiffness, headaches and tingling may show up hours or even days later. If your pain is severe or spreads beyond your neck, see a doctor right away.
Dylan Saulsbery, DC, DIBCN, DIBE, CBIS is a diplomate in Chiropractic Neurology and is certified to perform electrodiagnostic studies through the International Board of Chiropractic Neurology. Through comprehensive examinations which may include NCS and VNG testing, Dr. Saulsbery’s goal for his patients is to localize, characterize and properly diagnose a disorder or dysfunction. It is imperative that proper treatment be rendered so that a patient can return to his or her activity with optimal performance. Dr. Saulsbery serves as an active member and lecturer for the International Academy of Chiropractic Neurology.
A chiropractic neurologist is a licensed chiropractor who has additionally completed a 3-year course of study in neurology, including academics and practical training, and has passed a written and practical certification examination by the International Board of Chiropractic Neurology (IBCN) or the American Chiropractic Neurology Board (ACNB).
A chiropractic neurologist is qualified to diagnose and treat neurological disorders involving the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves and the associated dysfunction of these systems. A chiropractic neurologist will not prescribe drugs or surgery, but rather recommend appropriate conservative treatment depending on the nature of the dysfunction. After a thorough evaluation, a potential patient may be deemed “not qualified” for conservative care and may need to be co-managed or referred to a medical neurologist or other provider until symptoms improve.
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