Definition
Whiplash is a common neck injury that often occurs during rear-end automobile collisions, when your head suddenly moves backward and then forward — similar to the motion of someone cracking a whip. These extreme motions push your neck muscles and ligaments beyond their normal range of motion.
Whiplash injuries can be mild or severe. Most people recover quickly from whiplash — usually within four to six weeks — but some people with whiplash injuries develop chronic symptoms that can be extremely painful and disabling.
