What is Whiplash?

The term "whiplash" was coined by Dr. Harold Crowe back in 1928.

It is used to refer to the hyperextension / hyperflexion injury of the neck, and the resulting symptoms of this injury - sustained from a motor vehicle accident.
This forwards-flexion and/or backwards-extension of the neck essentially results in a soft tissue sprain / strain injury to the structures within the cervical and upper thoracic spinal regions.

When the initial impact occurs and the head is forced in either excessive flexion or excessive extension, protective reflexes cause the muscles of the neck to forcefully contract which "whips" the head back in the opposite direction.

The resulting injury often leads to numerous symptoms, many of which are confusing and poorly understood.