If you’ve been in a car accident and were diagnosed with whiplash, you may be wondering what the medical condition means for your long-term health. Whiplash is a soft-tissue neck injury caused when your head is jerked backward and forward suddenly. The injury can last for weeks, months or even years, so it’s important that you understand what you’re dealing with as you recuperate. The list below discusses several of the most common long-term effects of whiplash.

Whiplash: 3 Long-Term Effects After a Car Accident

1. Chronic Neck Pain

The pain and stiffness in your neck can be mild or severe, but the key factor is that you will feel it regularly. You may feel frequent tightness in your neck and shoulders or a nagging pain that won’t go away. Treatments such as a cervical neck collar, massage or physical therapy may be recommended by your doctor to help handle the condition.

2. Headaches

After a car accident, whiplash headache can occur and is classified as such if you experience a persistent headache for more than three months after your whiplash injury. You may experience pain, dizziness and blurred vision during these headaches. Your doctor may order an X-ray to check for fractures or neurological symptoms.

3. Sleep Disturbances

The quality of your sleep can be affected due to neck pain and tension headaches. The stress on your body can contribute to insomnia, so it’s vital that you seek medical treatment to avoid further complications. Poor sleep will make your body more sensitive to pain, so the effects of whiplash can become a vicious cycle.

If you’re suffering from the effects of long-term whiplash after a car accident, contact the professionals at The Law Offices of Daniel L. Crandall & Associates in Roanoke, VA. Their experienced personal injury attorneys will assist in your case and help get the compensation you deserve. They have served Southwest and Central Virginia since 1979 and handle a comprehensive range of personal injury and wrongful death cases. To schedule a free consultation with a lawyer, call (540) 342-2000 today and visit their website.