A whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine (neck) that occurs when the head is suddenly pushed forward and backward, for example in:

• A car accident (rear-end collision)
• A fall
• A collision during sports

This movement can cause damage to muscles, ligaments, intervertebral discs, joints, and nerves in the neck. Even if X-rays or MRIs may appear “normal”, the pain can be very real and persistent.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms can start immediately or appear after hours or days:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Headache (often at the base of the skull)
• Pain between the shoulders, in the arms, or in the jaw
• Dizziness, difficulty concentrating, fatigue
• Tingling or weakness in the limbs (in some cases)

When Does the Pain not Go away?

According to a recent 2025 study (Hellinga et al.), up to 50% of patients with persistent pain after whiplash have pain caused by the posterior joints of the neck, called cervical facet joints (especially between C2–C3 and C5–C6).

These small joints can become inflamed or hypersensitive after trauma, even in the absence of visible lesions on examinations.

How is the diagnosis made?

Facet joint pain cannot be seen with CT or MRI, but can be discovered through:

• Thorough specialist examination
• Selective diagnostic block: an injection with anesthetic near the joint nerves to confirm the source of pain

How is it Treated?

Treatment depends on the cause and duration of pain:

• Active and personalized physiotherapy
• TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
  A small device that stimulates nerves through the skin with mild electrical impulses.
  It can help reduce pain by modulating pain signals at the local level, in a safe and non-invasive way.
• Mild medications (painkillers, muscle relaxants if indicated)
• Targeted injections in localized cases
• Radiofrequency of facet joints:
  a minimally invasive technique to “deactivate” the nerves that carry pain, with good results in confirmed cases