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What is Whiplash?

By: Ben Mauk, Life's Little Mysteries Contributor

Date: 09 January 2013 Time: 09:45 AM ET

Whiplash refers to an injury resulting from forced movement, such as a car accident.
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Whiplash describes any injury of the neck's soft tissues resulting from forced movement.

The head's jerking action (not to be confused with the jerk who rear-ended you) pulls muscles and ligaments beyond their typical range of motion , causing fibers to tear. Torn fibers in a muscle or tendon is called a strain, whereas in a ligament it is called a sprain. Whiplash often involves both.

Extreme cases may involve fractured or dislocated bones, too. And if you're the jerk doing the rear-ending, you may experience severe litigation.

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