Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury from a sudden jolt, often a car accident, causing pain and stiffness. We ease the pain and guide a gentle, progressive recovery at our Marple clinic.

Understanding Your Condition
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful movement of the head — most often in a car accident, but also in falls and contact sport. The rapid back-and-forth movement strains the muscles, ligaments and joints of the neck, causing pain, stiffness and sometimes headaches that develop over the hours or days that follow.
It can be unsettling, but the good news is that whiplash responds well to early, gentle physiotherapy. At Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple, we ease your pain and guide a progressive recovery that restores comfortable neck movement and gets you back to normal.

What You Feel
- Neck pain and stiffness that develops hours after the injury
- Reduced neck movement, particularly turning or tilting
- Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull
- Pain spreading into the shoulders or upper back
- Tenderness and muscle spasm in the neck
- Dizziness or feeling off-balance
- Tiredness and difficulty concentrating
- Symptoms that worsen over the first day or two
Common Causes
- Rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck in a car accident
- A fall or blow to the head
- Contact sport such as rugby
- Sudden, forceful head movements
- Strain of the neck muscles, ligaments and joints
- Protective muscle spasm after the injury
- Inflammation around the strained tissues
- Being caught off-guard at the moment of impact
Who Physiotherapy Can Help
Whiplash affects drivers and passengers after car accidents, sportspeople after a collision, and anyone who's suffered a jolt or fall. We help with both recent injuries needing early management and longer-standing neck pain that's followed an accident.
If your neck is painful and stiff after a sudden jolt or impact, early assessment and gentle treatment help you recover faster. We screen carefully for any signs needing medical review.
Struggling with Whiplash?
Book your assessment today. We'll find the root cause and start hands-on treatment in your first session.
Your Assessment
Your assessment is thorough and reassuring. We take a detailed history of the injury, examine your neck movement, test for nerve involvement and screen carefully for any signs needing medical review or imaging.
By the end of your first session, you'll understand what's causing your symptoms and what to do about it. Early, appropriate treatment helps whiplash settle faster and prevents it becoming a longer-term problem.
How We Treat It
Our hands-on treatment approach:
- Detailed assessment to identify the injured tissues and screen for red flags
- Hands-on treatment to ease pain, spasm and stiffness
- Gentle neck mobility exercises, progressed as symptoms settle
- Strengthening of the neck and postural muscles
- Advice on posture, sleep and activity during recovery
- A progressive plan to restore full, pain-free movement
Expected Recovery
Most whiplash improves significantly within 2–6 weeks with early, appropriate treatment. Staying gently active and moving — rather than wearing a collar or resting completely — leads to better recovery.
We guide a progressive recovery that restores comfortable movement and strength, so you return to normal activities. Most people recover fully with the right approach, and we're here to support you throughout.
Everything You Need to Know Before Booking
No GP referral needed. Direct access appointments available — often same-day or within a few days.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your first session is a 45-minute comprehensive assessment. We start by listening — understanding your symptoms, your history, and what you want to get back to. We then carry out a thorough hands-on physical examination to identify the root cause of your problem. You'll receive a clear explanation of what's going on, a personalised treatment plan, and hands-on treatment begins in that very first session. You leave knowing exactly what's wrong, what we'll do about it, and how long recovery will take.
What Should I Wear?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area we're treating. For knee, hip, or leg problems, shorts are ideal. For shoulder, neck, or back issues, a loose top or vest works well. You'll never be asked to undress beyond what's necessary for examination and treatment, and you'll always be treated with dignity and respect in our private treatment room.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
This depends on your condition, how long you've had it, and your goals. Many patients feel significant improvement within 3–6 sessions. Acute injuries often resolve faster, while long-standing or complex conditions may need more. We'll give you a clear treatment timeline at your first appointment — and we only ever recommend sessions you genuinely need. Our goal is to get you independent and pain-free as quickly as possible, not to keep you coming back.
Can I Claim Through Insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by most major health insurance providers including AXA, Vitality, Bupa, WPA, and Healix. We can bill your insurer directly so you don't need to pay upfront — simply bring your insurance authorisation number to your appointment. If you're not sure whether you're covered, call us and we'll help you check before you book.
Treated by a Qualified, Experienced Professional

Rob Wood
Head Physio & Clinic Owner
Meet Rob, founder of Complete Recovery Physiotherapy in Marple.
Whiplash Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose Complete Recovery Physiotherapy?
Early, Gentle Care
Early, appropriate treatment helps whiplash settle faster. We guide gentle movement and progressive recovery — not collars or prolonged rest.
Careful Red-Flag Screening
We screen for signs needing medical review or imaging at your first appointment, so you're always safe and in the right place for your care.
Hands-On Every Session
Gentle mobilisation, soft tissue work and targeted treatment in every session — combined with specific exercises.
Car-Accident Support
We frequently treat whiplash after car accidents and can provide reports and documentation you may need for insurance, alongside your treatment.
Same Physio Every Time
Continuity of care with a physio who knows your neck, your injury and your goals throughout your recovery.
Free Parking in Marple
Easy visits at Bowden Hall with free parking right outside — important when your neck makes driving uncomfortable.
Related Conditions We Treat

Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common issues we treat at Complete Recovery Physio in Marple. Whether you're dealing with acute neck stiffness, tension headaches, whiplash, trapped nerves, postural pain from desk work, or long-standing chronic neck problems, our experienced physiotherapists can help you find real, lasting relief.
Learn More
Cervicogenic Headaches
Cervicogenic headaches start in the neck and refer pain to the head, often with stiffness. We ease the neck and address the posture and mechanics causing them at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is extremely common and usually responds well to the right physiotherapy. We find the cause and ease the pain with hands-on treatment, targeted exercises and clear advice at our Marple clinic.
Learn More
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain affects reaching, lifting, sleeping and sport. We assess the exact cause — from tendon problems to stiffness — and rebuild comfortable, confident movement with hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreRelated Services

Physiotherapy
At Complete Recovery Physio, everything we do is built around high-quality physiotherapy. Whether you're recovering from an injury, dealing with ongoing pain, or looking to move more freely, we're here to support you.
Learn More
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is the hands-on heart of physiotherapy — skilled joint mobilisation, soft tissue release and manipulation that reduces pain, restores movement and helps your body move freely again, delivered by experienced physiotherapists in Marple.
Learn More
Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise rehabilitation is the structured, progressive programme that rebuilds your strength, movement and confidence after injury or surgery — turning short-term relief into lasting recovery, guided by physiotherapists at our Marple clinic.
Learn MoreDon't Let Pain Hold You Back
Expert, hands-on physiotherapy in Marple. Free parking. Same-day and short-notice appointments often available.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a pain-free, active life. Free parking at our Marple clinic.

