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Chicago Accident Network

Whiplash Recovery Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

May 18, 2026

Most whiplash injuries resolve in 6-12 weeks with proper chiropractic and PT care. Here is the typical timeline.

# Whiplash Recovery Timeline Whiplash is the most common injury in rear-end collisions on Northwest Highway and the Kennedy. ## Week 1-2: Acute phase Ice, gentle mobilization, and chiropractic adjustments to reduce inflammation. ## Week 3-6: Subacute phase Active rehab begins. Physical therapy adds strengthening and range-of-motion work. ## Week 7-12: Recovery Most patients return to baseline. Lingering symptoms warrant imaging. Our network coordinates chiropractic + PT under one care plan so nothing falls through the cracks.