All too often, whiplash is thought of by many people as being a minor condition which can simply be coped with until the symptoms fade away. In the majority of cases, whiplash is caused by a car accident such as a shunt from behind, but anything which results in a violent back and forth movement of the head can have the same result. The phrase ‘whiplash’ doesn’t actually cover a condition in its’ own right, but instead covers a range of symptoms brought on when the soft tissue of the head neck or shoulders is damaged.
The symptoms can be mild or short lived, or can become ‘chronic’ in nature, which is to say that the symptoms are maintained over the long term and can become more intense. It should be noted that the actual symptoms of whiplash may not develop until some time after the event, which is one of many reasons why it’s vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Amongst the more common symptoms of whiplash are the following:
- Headaches
- Reduced mobility in the neck
- A painful and stiff neck
Slightly less common symptoms, but ones which still often manifest themselves are:
- Pain, pins and needles or numbness in the arms and hands
- Dizziness
- Muscle spasms
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness
- Pain in the lower back
- Vertigo
In some cases whiplash can also lead to poor concentration, memory loss and mood swings. As stated previously, whiplash can become chronic in nature, causing, along with the types of pain and discomfort detailed above, psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety.
It’s pretty clear, then, that whiplash as experienced by many people is far from being a trivial complaint. If you have the misfortune to develop it then it can have a major effect upon your life, preventing you from enjoying social occasions and impinging upon your ability to earn a living. If the accident which led to your whiplash was caused by someone else’s negligence then it’s only right and fair that you should be able to seek compensation. On one hand it will be able to reimburse you directly for any expenses, whilst on the other it will be a clear and tangible sign that your plight is being recognised and taken seriously.
