"Whiplash" is a slang word used by many people to describe neck pain following a car accident. The the soft tissues in your neck - meaning anything that can tear easily - (ligaments, tendons, and muscles) become damaged when you get whiplash. It is caused by a force that makes your neck extend beyond its normal range of motion.

Have you ever see someone with a broken bone? Say someone's leg that was facing a direction it wasn't supposed to (gross I know, but it gets a point across)? Well that's kind of what whiplash is like - only not as severe. Your neck goes where it's not supposed to go, and then the tissue either gets torn, or the bone smashes together and causes you quite a bit of pain.

What does It Feel Like?

These signs and symptoms may happen right away, or just hours after you get into the car accident or hurt your neck in some other way; Neck pain Swelling of the Neck Soreness, or tenderness along the sides, front, or back of your neck Muscle twitching Trouble moving your neck from side to side A headache (you can have this anywhere in your head) Pain /tingling/soreness going from your neck into either your shoulders or arm

Note: Soon after you get whiplash, if you have symptoms develop, there is a greater chance of serious damage.

How Do I Know if I Have Whiplash?

See a chiropractor or regular doctor so that they can ask you some questions and take x-rays to see if you actually did hurt yourself this way

What's the Treatment for Whiplash?

There are a lot of different treatments for whiplash, and along with my hub, there are other sites available on the internet that can show you how to relieve your neck pain or whiplash symptoms.

Some of the treatments for whiplash include:

1)wearing a neck-brace to stabilize the neck until it heals from muscle  or other tissue damage.

2)cervical vertebrate fusion

3) surgery to remove bone or place pins in the neck to stabilize it

4) injections to reduce inflammation of the nerves and tissues in the neck in combination with any of the above

What if it's from a Car Accident and it Wasn't My Fault? Can I get compensation for this?

There are hundreds of attorneys and lawyers that may be able to help you. If you think that you're not at fault, check out some websites about "accident injury" law, and how to get money from insurance companies for your injury.