Whiplash treatment in Tampa

Whiplash is a neck injury from a fast back and forth movement, most often in a rear-end crash. Pain and stiffness can start hours or days later.

A car seat headrest and seat belt seen from the back seat

Pain that shows up later

A woman sits up in bed in the morning holding her neck

Many people feel fine at the scene and stiff the next morning. Florida PIP pays for medical care only if you get initial care within 14 days of the crash, so do not wait to see if it fades.

How we examine your neck

A clinician checks the lower back of a seated patient

We take a history of the crash and check how far your neck turns, and the strength, reflexes and sensation in both arms. We order X-rays when the exam calls for them.

Care and home exercises

A woman does a gentle neck stretch on a chair at home

Care can include gentle adjustments, soft tissue work and neck exercises. You get a short home program, and we re-check your progress at each visit.

Questions about whiplash

When is neck pain after a crash an emergency?

Go to an emergency room or call 911 for a head injury, loss of consciousness, severe pain, numbness or weakness in an arm, or trouble with balance or speech.

Reviewed by Dr. Wesley Vellacott, DC, October 7, 2026