Bottom Line:
If you can walk away after a car accident without any catastrophic injuries, you may consider yourself lucky. Even if you feel ok after exchanging information and speaking with the police, it is always a good idea to see a chiropractor after an accident. With adrenaline pumping directly after an accident, your brain may not register pain signals coming from your body. It’s only after you have some time to calm down do you notice that you’re struggling with injuries.
Why it Matters:
Ignoring a new ache or pain after a car accident, and hoping it will go away, is not smart. Even minor symptoms can be an indication of a more significant problem. Receiving a complete and thorough evaluation is critical to discovering injuries early on so that you can receive the best care and treatment to put your injuries in the rearview mirror as quickly as possible. The
following symptoms often have a delayed onset and may not appear for hours, or days, after your accident.
• Headaches: a concussion, neck injury, mild traumatic brain injury, or whiplash can create headaches after a car accident. Don’t dismiss a headache or dizziness until it’s been adequately evaluated by a doctor.
• Back pain: Pain in your back after a car accident can take hours or days to begin. This could be a sign of a spinal disc injury, soft tissue injury, or whiplash.
• Neck/Shoulder Pain: If you notice pain in your neck, shoulders, or arms, it may be a sign of whiplash or a spinal injury.
Next Steps:
Delayed onset of symptoms after a car accident is quite common. It doesn’t mean that you’re “making it up.” The stress of a car accident can make it difficult to truly assess how you feel in the minutes after impact. It takes time for swelling and inflammation to begin, and if you notice pain hours, or even days, after your accident- don’t dismiss it. Call us to schedule a proper evaluation as soon as you can- it has the potential to make a massive difference in your quality of life and long-term health!
Science Source:
