[Why patients with simple cervical vertebral sprains may develop persistent neurological symptoms]

Possible causative mechanisms and sequelae of neck strain, the so-called whiplash injury, are reviewed critically and evaluated regarding their influence on the persistence of symptoms in the neurological field. In the light of contemporary knowledge monistic or dualistic models have proven inefficient to come up for the multifaceted aspects of this complex problem. We propose a multidimensional biopsychosocial model whose impact on an adequate understanding as well as a better and more efficient therapy of these patients is elaborated.