The word “whiplash” is used to name the movement that occurs in the cervical spine (similar to that of a leather whip) during a traffic accident.
That movement consists of both strong extension and powerful flexion movements of the neck. This movement provokes an injury known as neck sprain producing several pain and dysfunctions to who suffers them.
The collisions causing whiplash are often from the rear. However it could also be a lateral, frontal or multiple directions impact. The cervical spine suffers the following forced movement:
1- Normal position
2- Forced backward extension of the neck.
3- Forced forward flexion of the neck.