Symptoms:

Symptoms of whiplash (or neck strain) include pain, decreased range of motion and tightness in the neck.  The muscles may feel hard or knotted.  There may be pain when rocking the head from side to side or headaches at the base of the skull that radiate toward the forehead.

Causes:

Any impact or blow that causes the head to jerk forward or backward can cause whiplash.  The sudden force stretches and tears the muscles and tendons in the neck.