Whiplash

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is also known as neck sprain or neck strain. This common type of neck injury happens when the neck jolts backward or forward, sharply and suddenly. Whiplash due to a motor vehicle collision or another injury can strain your muscles or damage soft tissues in your neck. It can cause minor to severe symptoms, based on which neck tissues (such as ligaments and nerves) you injured and how badly.

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Are whiplash and concussion the same thing?

No. Whiplash and concussion injuries are both caused by a sudden, forceful jolt. However, these injuries differ in several ways. Whiplash is a neck injury that damages soft tissues (such as ligaments or muscles). A concussion is a type of brain injury.

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What does whiplash feel like?

How you feel will depend on the details of your injury, including the type of tissues affected and how seriously you were hurt.

After a whiplash injury, you may feel a dull, aching pain in the front or back of your neck (or both). Many people have a stiff neck that makes it difficult to turn your head side to side.

It’s important to note that a motor vehicle’s speed at the time of impact does not dictate how severe your symptoms are. Even if cars are moving slowly when they collide, you could still have a serious injury.