One of the most common injuries faced by people after a car accident is whiplash pain. While this is one of the least physically damaging injuries from a car accident, some cases of whiplash pain can become chronic. Dealing with chronic pain that never seems to go away can negatively impact several areas of life. Treatments for chronic pain tend to be long-term and may involve physical therapy, which is not always covered by insurance. This is why you should contact a Tennessee car accident lawyer if the accident was caused by a negligent driver. You could be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses.

Symptoms of Whiplash

The violent force of a car accident is enough to damage the tissues that make up the neck, including the nerves. Recognizing the symptoms of whiplash is important for seeking early treatment. Early treatment may increase your chances of avoiding chronic pain. Whiplash does not only involve neck pain but also includes:

  • Stiffness
  • Numbness or tingling in arms
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches

Severe cases of whiplash can evolve into blurry vision and ringing ears. Some people with whiplash pain that lasts a long time may begin experiencing problems with falling asleep due to the discomfort. Sleep deprivation can lead to irritability, depression, and problems with memory or concentration. This can significantly affect someone who is in school or working a mentally demanding job.

Treatments vary from prescription pain medications to rest or exercise. This all depends on what the doctor finds out about your condition.

When Whiplash Becomes Chronic Pain

Unfortunately, for some people, their acute whiplash symptoms become chronic. Their neck pain continues for months or years with little relief. This type of pain can be stressful and distracting. Chronic pain has been found to cause problems in social, psychological, and biological aspects of life.

Biologically, the pain can make moving around difficult. Imagine dealing with this pain every day with little relief. Then you can imagine how chronic pain can lead to psychological problems like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Insomnia and any kind of sleep deprivation can exacerbate existing depression or anxiety.

These problems all add up to impact the social aspects of life like school, social relationships, and work. The concentration and memory problems chronic pain creates can make studying or performing tasks accurately at work extremely challenging. Others who do not understand the person’s pain may not be able to help and the person can become frustrated. Stress often builds up into social conflicts with others, which can harm relationships.