This book is based on the proceedings and discussions of a closed workshop held in Santa Margherita Ligure in January 1995. It was an original scientific experience: no public was admitted. For three days the main contributors of this book remained closed in a wonderful ho tel. In the same hotel Guglielmo Marconi, in the 30s, performed his first experiments with radio waves. The hotel was therefore an ideal place, al though the problems we discussed were not so "revolutionary" like Marco ni's experiments. In these days round tables, superrescricted meetings on specific topics and presentation of selected papers, only for very few persons, were per formed. We discussed about definition, ethiopathogenesis, physiopathology, clinical and instrumental evaluations, medico-legal and therapeutic aspects of whiplash injuries. All the attendants tried to report and discuss personal experiences and ideas in order to compare them. All the discussions were especially aimed to prepare the chapters you will read in this book. We returned to our homes very tired, but very rich in our minds. We really hope that after reading this book you will be as tired as rich. We are very grateful to Pharmacia, who supported the closed workshop and the preparation of this publication.