Chronic whiplash
With time, most cases of whiplash eventually get better without any lasting damage. However, in a small number of cases, the pain caused by whiplash can last for six months or longer. This is known as chronic whiplash.
If you have prolonged pain, you may find it difficult to carry out daily activities and enjoy leisure time. It may also cause problems at work and could lead to anxiety and depression.
See your GP if you have chronic neck pain that is causing problems with work and carrying out normal, everyday activities.
Other injuries
In cases where whiplash occurs as the result of a road traffic accident, you may also have other injuries, such as chest pain or bruising on your chest, caused by the restraining force of your seat belt.
Correctly adjusting the headrests in your car may help to prevent whiplash by stopping your head from moving backwards. It is difficult to prevent your head moving forwards or sideways.
See the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) road safety information for advice about how to adjust your head restraint (pdf).
