Whiplash is the stretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect the vertebrae in the neck. The muscles that connect the head and neck to the rest of the spine can also be affected.
Symptoms of whiplash include neck pain or stiffness, muscle spasms, headaches, and in some cases loss of strength, decreased sensitivity, numbness or burning sensations in the arms.
A whiplash injury can be caused by a whiplash per se, a blow to the head, an awkward movement or prolonged and inadequate neck posture (during sleep for example).