Long-Term Effects of Untreated Whiplash and Neck Injuries After a Car Accident

What untreated whiplash can turn into

Whiplash happens when the head and neck are thrown rapidly back and forth, as in a rear-end collision. The first signs are often neck pain and stiffness, but they can also include headaches, dizziness, shoulder and upper back tightness, and tingling or numbness in the arms or hands. Some people feel fine at the scene and notice symptoms the next day or later, which is covered in more detail in our guide to hidden whiplash symptoms after a fender bender.

When symptoms are ignored, some people go on to have ongoing neck pain, reduced range of motion, recurring headaches, or nerve-related symptoms such as arm tingling. In some cases, a disc injury or herniated disc turns out to be part of the picture, which is something an examination can help sort out.

What the research shows about the long term

Several published studies have followed people for months or years after whiplash. These findings describe how whiplash often unfolds. They do not show that any one treatment prevents long-term problems.

Recovery is slower than many people expect

The Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain reviewed the evidence and concluded that approximately 50% of those with whiplash-associated disorders will report neck pain symptoms one year after their injuries (Carroll et al., 2009). A prospective Australian study of people with compensable crash injuries found that 33.6% were recovered at three months and 51.7% at two years, and that physical health scores improved over time while mental health scores did not (Rebbeck et al., 2006).

Early symptoms help predict who recovers more slowly

In that same task force review, greater initial pain, more symptoms, and greater initial disability predicted slower recovery. After-injury factors such as a passive coping style, depressed mood, and fear of movement were also linked to slower or less complete recovery (Carroll et al., 2009). Prediction is not the same as proof that treatment changes the outcome, but it is one reason providers pay close attention to how a patient looks in the first visits.

Pain after a crash is not only physical

A 2022 systematic review of psychiatric outcomes after whiplash found depressive symptoms in 32.8% of people at six months and 34.0% at six to twelve months, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress in 9.0% to 22.3% at three months and 14.6% to 17.1% at twelve months. The authors noted considerable differences between the studies and few eligible studies, so these figures are best read as a range (Al-Khazali et al., 2022).

Why an early evaluation matters

Waiting to see whether pain goes away is common, but it leaves you without a baseline. An examination soon after the accident documents what is going on, identifies whether anything needs further imaging or a referral, and lets you decide on a plan with your provider while the details are fresh. An emergency room visit is important after a crash, but it may not cover everything; see why an ER visit might miss your auto accident injuries.

Care options at Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab

Care starts with an examination, and what comes next depends on your findings. Depending on the person, your provider may talk with you about non-surgical options such as chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and other supportive therapies. Results vary and are not guaranteed. To learn more, you can read about our approach to whiplash, neck pain, auto accident injury treatment, and care after a car accident, or see how non-surgical whiplash recovery is approached. If you are not sure what to do first, our guide on what to do after a car accident is a good start.

When to get checked right away

Do not wait if you have severe or worsening pain, a severe headache, weakness, numbness that is spreading, trouble speaking or walking, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Go to an emergency room or call 911. For milder symptoms that linger, schedule an evaluation.

Local Relevance

Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab has locations in Delray Beach and Pompano Beach and welcomes patients from Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, and Deerfield Beach. If you were in a crash and are still feeling it, call us to arrange an evaluation.

About Dr. Eric Bjerke, D.C.

Dr. Eric Bjerke, D.C., is a decorated U.S. Army veteran and former Army helicopter pilot. After recovering from a severe back injury, he turned to chiropractic care, graduating from Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Bjerke is experienced in treating trauma-related injuries and dedicated to helping patients through personalized care.