When you suffer from a back injury, you might initially think that it is not such a big deal. This is especially true if it is a soft tissue injury involving the muscles, rather than the spine.
However, even soft tissue injuries to the back can have enormous repercussions that can last for years.
Ties between chronic pain and mental health
One of the most notable side effects of soft tissue back damage revolves around chronic pain. Once muscle ends up inflamed, it can be very difficult to get it back to normal. Swelling often takes days or even weeks to fully abate, and the victim should not exacerbate the injury as it heals.
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, back pain can have lasting repercussions. This is especially true of chronic pain. Many studies have shown a poignant relationship between chronic pain and mental health struggles.
In particular, there is a strong tie between chronic pain and the development or worsening of issues like anxiety, depression or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
Physical and financial repercussions
There are potential physical impacts, too. Depending on the type of damage, a person may no longer be able to accomplish the tasks they once could. This could jeopardize their position in their company and might even put them at risk of dismissal.
This is additional financial stress on top of what already exists, i.e. the victim having to deal with medical expenses related to the injury. Needless to say, this creates a difficult situation for the sufferer that may last years.