Arizona workers may sometimes experience incidents on the job that lead to injury. Among the possible injuries one might suffer from is whiplash, caused by a rapid and harsh back-and-forward movement of the head and neck. Though typically attributed to rear-end car crashes, whiplash can be easier to get than one may think.
Rush.edu takes a look at whiplash facts that may not be commonly known. They start by stating that resting too much can actually worsen whiplash injuries. Not moving can make one’s muscles begin to atrophy, which can drag out the pain. They also point out that it doesn’t take much force to cause a whiplash injury. Despite it being associated with car crashes, anything that jars the neck and head suddenly may cause whiplash.
Whiplash symptoms should not be ignored. Mayo Clinic lists some of the symptoms of whiplash, which usually extend beyond the stereotypical sore neck. Though that may occur as well, a person can also experience:
- Dizziness
- Numbness in the limbs
- Irritability or exhaustion
- An inability to move the head or neck
- Memory and concentration problems
Some of these symptoms can be indicative of severe damage to the nerves or spinal cord. Even the brain can be damaged, as it may smack against the inside of the skull if the whiplash was harsh enough. Additionally, there is a risk that symptoms may worsen with time rather than improve.
Working after whiplash can be difficult for these reasons. It can be hard to perform work-related tasks, even if it just means sitting at a desk all day. This is why many workers seek compensation if they get whiplash while on the job.
