Whiplash hurts, happens fast, and causes tremendous amounts of neck pain and upper shoulder pain. Whiplash affects the soft tissues in the neck and is often referred to as a neck sprain or neck strain and the pain can be minor to severe, but either way, it causes neck pain that will medical attention.

A large percentage of whiplash injuries are due to car accidents, especially if you are rear ended by another vehicle. It can happen in an instant; you think should you continue through the yellow traffic light. It feels like you have time, but that car behind you is close and coming fast. You don't want to be rear ended but too late, you stop for the yellow light but the car behind you doesn't and slams into you full force. As if in slow motion you feel your neck snap forward and then back and the dull onset of pain begins.

What happens with a whiplash injury is the neck joints will overextend and in doing so, all the neck muscles and ligaments are pulled and overstretched as well. Because the neck has the ability to move in many directions, the ligaments and muscles can be over stretched or extended in many directions as well. And it hurts - a lot!

Symptoms of whiplash can vary slightly. You may only experience neck pain but often times it's accompanied with the onset of upper back pain as well. The neck pain can start immediately after an accident or in some cases can take a few days to develop but for each person the symptoms vary from slight discomfort to extreme neck pain making movement difficult.

Other symptoms of whiplash can be tightness in the neck and or upper back. There can also be a headache or dizziness which can be a symptom of a concussion, so it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. If your esophagus or larynx has been damaged from the muscle overextension, you may experience hoarseness or have a difficult time swallowing. Whiplash is a common occurrence with painful a aftermath but you'll feel better and the pain will subside with a doctor's care.

Diagnosis of whiplash can be determined by a number of medical procedures. Usually a simple X-ray to eliminate the possibility of bone fractures or breaks is the first protocol. An X-ray determines the initial extent of your injury but in some cases a few more steps may need to be taken.

Health practitioners may want a Computer Axial Tomography (CT scan) or a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) especially if there is a question of disc or joint injury. Both procedures are non-invasive and painless. A CT scan or an MRI are better suited to identify sever damage to the soft tissue. Your health care provider will know which is best for diagnosing your injury.