Whiplash

When one car hits another, each person’s body is thrown toward the impact, then away from it. This is whiplash. Even at slow speeds, the force puts stress and strain on the spine. This is especially true for the neck. The weight of the head stretches and damages muscles and ligaments. It may pull spinal bones out of line. The bones that protect your spinal cord (vertebrae) can be forced out of position. Disks are the spine's shock absorbers. They can bulge, rupture, or wear down. Nerves can get pinched or inflamed. And muscles and ligaments can be stretched or torn.