A whiplash is unlike any other injury. For example, with a sprained ankle, you can usually expect the following scenario, even with a moderate injury:
- The onset of pain and stiffness with 24 hours.
- Progressive improvement after the first week.
- Very limited number of symptoms
- Near-total resolution of symptoms with 6-8 weeks.
None of the above rules apply in the case of a typical whiplash. Instead, we have the following guidelines:
- Pain and stiffness may not develop for weeks.
- Recovery is highly variable, and its course is difficult to predict for even a day in the future.
- Wide variety of symptoms are possible
- 45% of whiplash victims have significant symptoms several years after the injury.
In short, whiplash breaks all the standard rules.
Whiplash Basics – Breaking the Rules from the booklet “Whiplash” by John M. Mooney, DC