Region: Shoulder
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly after car accidents, falls, or sports collisions. It can strain the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues in the neck.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth movement of the head, commonly after car accidents, falls, or sports collisions. It can strain the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues in the neck.
Symptoms
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- Headaches
- Reduced range of motion
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Dizziness
- Muscle spasms
What does whiplash feel like?
- Sore or stiff neck
- Sharp pain with movement
- Tightness in the shoulders
- Head feels heavy
- Pain turning the head
- Neck fatigue or tension
What are common causes of whiplash?
- Contact sports collisions
- Sudden impact to the head or body
- Falls
- Rapid neck movement
- Tackling injuries
- Sudden twisting motions
Self check
- Pain after sudden neck movement or impact
- Difficulty turning your head
- Neck stiffness after activity
- Headaches with neck pain
- Pain spreading into the shoulders
Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.
What to do now
- Rest briefly after injury
- Apply ice for 15–20 minutes
- Begin gentle neck movement as tolerated
- Avoid sudden neck motions
- Maintain good posture
- Seek medical evaluation if symptoms worsen
Red flags
- Severe neck pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness in the arms
- Loss of balance
- Severe headaches
- Vision changes
- Difficulty moving the neck
- Symptoms worsening over time
Recovery tips
- Gradually restore neck mobility
- Stay active with light movement
- Avoid prolonged rest
- Improve posture
- Stretch and strengthen neck muscles
- Return to sports gradually
Educational only. Not a medical diagnosis.