Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, violent back-and-forth or sideways movement of the neck. It commonly occurs in road traffic accidents—for example, due to sudden deceleration or acceleration in a vehicle collision. The severity of a whiplash injury varies from small strains to major trauma in which neck ligaments are torn.
The sudden pull of muscles and tendons on bones may break pieces off the ends of the vertebrae.
Nerves and blood vessels may also be damaged, causing pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms, and possibly dizziness and vision problems. There may be muscle spasms, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area. It may take several hours for symptoms to develop after the injury, and they may become worse over the next few days.
Whiplash usually gradually improves on its own over several weeks with measures such as ice packs to reduce inflammation, pain relievers, and keeping the neck as mobile as possible.
If symptoms persist, physical therapy may be recommended.

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