Whiplash is a neck sprain which happens when your head is suddenly jolted forwards or backwards as a result of a sudden movement. You can also experience whiplash when your head is suddenly moved from side to side, as in a road traffic accident or when driving your car.
Because your head is moved suddenly and violently the muscles and ligaments which support your head are caused to stretch more than usual.
Very often you will not experience the symptoms of whiplash for some time after the accident which caused the muscle strain.
Even slow speed impacts can cause whiplash – it depends on how sudden the movement was and whether the impact was anticipated.
Whiplash can also be experienced as a result of a sports injury or even when you trip or fall.
Whiplash is normally treated with painkillers but the symptoms can take several months to disappear. In severe cases the symptoms can still be felt after a year or more.