Long Term Whiplash.

Most of us will experience at least one road traffic accident in our lives and the most common injury sustained is whiplash. The symptoms and the severity of whiplash can vary from person to person; some people recover quite quickly and only experience a stiff neck. Unfortunately, others who suffer from a whiplash-type injury find that their injuries do not resolve within 3 months and that they go on for months or even years longer. Statistics into the effects of long term whiplash injuries, 1 year after an accident somewhere between 5 and 10% of people still experience some pain and discomfort related to their injury. Some of these people even go on to develop a chronic pain condition, which can drastically impair their quality of life and even prevent them ever going back to work.

If you are worried that your whiplash pain may develop into something more serious and long term then you should visit your GP to get checked out. If you are still suffering from adverse symptoms such as headaches and neck pain 3 months after the initial accident then you may be suffering from a long term whiplash injury. Sometimes a long term whiplash injury is known as Late Whiplash Syndrome and the problem with the condition is that is can be very difficult to diagnose. Doctors will often use CT and MRI scans to see any damage to the neck and can then assess the situation.

If the pain is very severe then a patient may need to undergo a procedure known as a discography to help pinpoint the area causing the pain. When the precise location of the pain is found then treatment can be focused on this area to help relieve it.

To treat long term pain such as whiplash you need to treat both the underlying pain and look at the lifestyle of the patient. This will treat the physical symptoms and also help people to get on with their lives. In the past, whiplash treatment involved using a neck collar or brace but nowadays experts emphasise the importance of keeping the affected area mobile.

If you are suffering from long-term whiplash injuries you should first visit your GP to get a full medical assessment. You should then seek professional medical advice on the best way to pursue your claim. You may be entitled to make a claim for compensation which will cover you for any losses you have incurred as a direct result of the accident and any pain or suffering you have had to endure. For more information contact Accident Consult today.