Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) was defined by the Quebec task force as ‘Whiplash is an acceleration–deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck. It may result from rear-end or side-impact motor vehicle collisions, but can also occur during diving or other mishaps. The impact may result in bony or soft tissue injuries (whiplash-injury), which in turn may lead to a variety of clinical manifestations called Whiplash-Associated Disorders’.

The cervical spine is divided into the upper cervical spine (occiput-C2) and the lower cervical spine (C3-C7), according to anatomical differences. Fractures in the upper cervical spine include fractures of the occipital condyle and the atlas, atlanto-axial dislocations, fractures of the odontoid process, and hangman’s fractures in the C2 segment.

Neck pain is a significant public health problem worldwide. Cervical intervertebral disc has long been considered a common source of neck pain. The spondylotic pain associated with degenerative disc disease is typically episodic, with the chief complaints being of neck, scapular and shoulder pain. Probable sources include the discs, facets, extensor muscles and greater occipital nerve.

Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) refers to a heterogeneous group of rheumatic diseases that present common clinical and genetic features, which are classified as peripheral or axial (axSpA) based on what parts of the body are predominantly affected. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a type of SpA, is an autoimmune disease that mainly involves spine joints, sacroiliac joints (SIJs) and their adjacent soft tissues, such as tendons and ligaments.

Neck and shoulder pain (NSP) is a common complaint in the general population. Insurance data show that 18% of disability payments made for musculoskeletal disorders was spent on neck and shoulder problems. The initial symptoms are neck and shoulder stiffness, fatigue and dull pain. The pain may be aggravated by moving of neck and shoulder, and it may be stronger at night.