Whiplash is an injury to the neck, but it also affects other parts of the body and neurological system. Whiplash is generally seen in car accident victims. It is caused by sudden extension and/or flexion of the neck. In addition to neck pain from a strain or sprain, whiplash may also cause injury to the back (intervertebral joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and discs), stiffness in the neck, myofascial injuries and somatic, cognitive and psychological issues such as memory loss, nervousness, memory loss, problems sleeping and depression.

Treatment of a whiplash injury often includes physical therapy, traction and pain medications. It can take as little as a few days up to weeks for neck pain to dissipate. Neck pain may not completely clear up for some people, though in most cases, the whiplash injury is cleared within three months.

However, during recovery victims may miss work due to pain or medical appointments. Also, medical care isn’t free. Whiplash has great potential to be a very costly injury.