Whiplash is a common injury that often occurs after sudden impact events, such as falls, contact sports-related incidents, or, most commonly, car accidents. Around three million people have whiplash injuries every year.
This injury results from the rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, affecting your muscles, disks, tendons, and nerves. While most people recover from whiplash within a few weeks, if left untreated, it can cause significant discomfort and long-term damage. It is important to know that the effects of whiplash are not always immediate due to adrenaline kicking in. You also need to take the right steps to recover more quickly.
Sometimes, symptoms may not appear for 24 hours or more following the incident. It is important to recognize the common symptoms of whiplash after an accident so that you can seek timely medical attention and legal assistance from an injury attorney.
Neck Pain and Stiffness
One of the predominant symptoms of whiplash is neck pain and stiffness. This is because the sudden jerking motion of the head can strain or tear the soft tissues in the neck, leading to inflammation and restricted movement. As a result, this can make it difficult for an individual with whiplash to move their head from side to side or look over their shoulders. Whiplash can make everyday activities such as driving very difficult and uncomfortable. If left untreated, this stiffness and pain can become a chronic issue.
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Shoulder and Back Pain
Oftentimes, the neck pain and discomfort experienced from whiplash can spread down to your shoulders and upper back. The forceful impact of whiplash can affect the muscles and tendons in these areas, causing much soreness and discomfort. In more serious cases, the pain can also extend to your lower back. This is one of the worst injuries in car accidents.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a symptom of whiplash that is often overlooked or attributed to other root causes. However, after suffering a significant injury, your body is usually working overtime trying to repair the damaged tissues, leaving you drained and exhausted. The physical toll that the pain can have, coupled with the emotional stressors and your body’s natural healing process can lead to prolonged fatigue.
Headaches
Headaches also commonly occur after suffering a whiplash injury. Typically, these headaches, often regarded as cervicogenic headaches, originate at the base of the skull and spread toward the forehead and temples. The intensity of these headaches can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, and particularly in more severe cases, they can become chronic if left untreated.
Tingling Sensations
Some individuals who suffer a whiplash injury may also experience a tingling or numb “pins and needles” sensation. These sensations are typically felt in the arms and hands and are a direct result of the nerves in your neck being inflamed and compressed. This condition is regarded as cervical radiculopathy and may require physical therapy or medication to help with the healing process.
Dizziness
One final symptom commonly experienced by someone with whiplash is dizziness. This dizziness can range from mild disorientation or imbalance to more severe episodes of vertigo in which you feel the whole room around you is spinning. Dizziness can occur because the sudden movement of the neck can disrupt the inner ear, which is responsible for balance. Additionally, dizziness can result from nerve damage to the cervical sign. Individuals who are experiencing this dizziness are also likely to feel nauseous or lightheaded.