Whiplash injury symptoms and contributing factors

Each year, about two million people in the United States sustain a head injury. About 85 percent are considered to be "minor" in nature. However, many of these minor head injuries have significant, long-lasting results. In many cases, the injuries which result in traumatic brain injury may be bloodless, require no medical care, and initially seem non-disabling. Microscopic research has shown that irreversible nerve damage can occur even when the head does not strike an object, but instead is only shaken violently as in a whiplash incident.

Each year over one million people in the United States sustain whiplash injury. About 25 percent result in long term chronic disorders although some literature suggests that 43 percent of patients will suffer long-term symptoms. One study reported that after six months, 38 percent of patients still reported daily or constant headaches, neck pain, or neck stiffness. Symptoms may last for months or even years and for some, it can last a life time, never making a complete recovery. It can be especially troublesome for women who don't have as much muscle mass in the neck as men.

Whiplash injuries can range from mild muscle strain to even death. It is believed that most people on TWA Flight 800 were killed instantly by whiplash -- not in the fireball or crash. In many cases, symptoms don't occur until hours after the accident. Associated symptoms include headaches, low back pain, neck pain, nausea, decreased range of motion, tingling in the arms and legs, dizziness, sleep disturbances, visual symptoms including vertigo, post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and travel anxiety. Neck pain, which accompanies all whiplash injuries, reminds the victim of the accident continually and interferes with common daily activities.