What combination of movements can lead to a whiplash injury?

The combination of rapid flexion followed by extension is closely associated with the mechanism of whiplash injuries. When a person experiences a sudden deceleration, such as in a car accident, their head may move forward quickly (flexion) before thrusting backward (extension). This rapid movement creates a forceful stretch of the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues in the neck, which can lead to a strain or sprain in these structures. The abrupt change in position can also affect the cervical spine, leading to possible damage to the vertebrae, discs, or nerves, contributing to the pain and dysfunction often seen in whiplash injuries.

Other movement combinations, while they may involve similar motions, typically do not result in the same mechanism of injury associated with whiplash.