What often begins as an apparent minor injury can quickly become a life-changing event. Motor vehicle trauma throws forces at the human body that we are poorly adapted to handle. The injuries that occur are unique in that there is a vast array of possible symptoms that can occur. Of the dozens of possible symptoms, the more common ones are:
- Pain/Achiness
- Stiffness
- Loss of functional capacity
- Tingling/Numbness
- Weakness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Nervousness
- Fatigue
- Unexplained mood swings
- Difficulty sleeping
These symptoms may not show up until hours or possibly days after a whiplash and the recovery is typically nonlinear and unpredictable. However, don't be fooled into believing that your injuries are minor just because you had no broken bones. The worst injuries are typically soft-tissue in nature. Make no mistake, muscle and ligament tears, cartilage injuries and neurological insults are serious injuries. Studies show that approximately 45% of whiplash patients suffer significant long-term complications if not treated properly. Prompt, evidence-based care is the best means to avoid unnecessary pain, dysfunction, and long-term complications.