A whiplash accident affects the 7 cervical vertebrae of the neck and is most commonly caused by car accidents when the force of a blow from the rear causes the head to whip backward and forward.
This video shows how whiplash results from the rapid movement of the skull during a motor vehicle accident.
This action can cause tears in the muscles, tendons or ligaments of the neck.
It can also cause a nerve to become pinched between two vertebrae, resulting in pain or numbness that may radiate down to the shoulder, arm and hand.
