Whiplash is a severe neck injury and something we can treat at Express Healthcare Urgent Care. This injury is the result of a forceful back and forth movement of your neck, similar to the cracking of a whip. While this injury can occur in severe impacts during sporting activities, it is most common in auto accidents when someone is rear-ended. Most symptoms develop within 24 hours and can include neck pain, neck stiffness, loss of motion, a headache starting at the base of the skull, dizziness, fatigue, numbness in the arms, and tenderness or pain in the upper back, arms, and shoulders. Symptoms generally get better in a few weeks with proper treatment, including medication and exercise. A whiplash injury can sometimes be referred to as a neck strain or sprain, but this is a general term that includes other injuries that are not likely to be caused by a motor vehicle accident.