Mobility Exercises for the Neck
All whiplash injuries should be checked by a doctor at the accident and emergency department. The doctor will usually fit a soft collar and prescribe pain-relieving medication. As soon as the pain allows, the following exercises should be commenced. These exercises can help reduce the stiffness in the neck and accelerate recovery.
| 1 Neck Flexion | Take the chin towards the chest, then back up to look forwards. |
| 2 Neck Extension | Move the head back gently and look up to the ceiling, then look forwards. |
| 3 Rotation to the Right | Look over the right shoulder, then back to looking forwards. |
| 4 Rotation to the Left | Look over the left shoulder, then back to looking forwards. |
| 5 Side Flexion to the Right | Look forwards and try to take the right ear to the tip of the right shoulder. |
| 6 Side Flexion to the Left | Look forwards and try to take the left ear to the tip of the right shoulder. |
These exercises should be repeated 10 times, 3 times each day, if pain allows. Each time the exercises are done, the patient should be able to move the neck a little further. If the pain fails to improve or becomes worse, the exercises should be stopped immediately, and a doctor or Chartered Physiotherapist consulted.