You walk away from a car accident feeling surprisingly good.
Then you wake up the next morning and can barely turn your neck.
This experience is not unusual. Some musculoskeletal symptoms following automobile accidents may become more noticeable hours or even days after the collision.
Why Can Pain Be Delayed?
An automobile accident is stressful.
Immediately after impact, your attention may be focused on your passengers, your vehicle, exchanging information, talking to police, and figuring out what to do next.
Your body's stress response can also temporarily change the way discomfort is perceived.
As the hours pass, muscle tightness, soreness, and stiffness may become easier to recognize.
Symptoms That May Develop Later
After an accident, pay attention to symptoms including:
Symptoms that continue to worsen rather than improve should be evaluated.
Does Delayed Pain Mean Something Serious?
Not necessarily.
Muscle and joint injuries can cause delayed soreness. However, it is important not to assume that every post-accident symptom is simply a muscle strain.
More concerning symptoms—including severe headaches, neurological changes, numbness, weakness, confusion, worsening dizziness, chest pain, or abdominal pain—may require prompt medical evaluation.
How Can a Chiropractor Evaluate Post-Accident Pain?
A chiropractor can evaluate musculoskeletal complaints affecting the neck, back, shoulders, and surrounding areas.
At IllumINNATE Walk-In Family Chiropractic, an evaluation may include assessing:
Once the nature of the musculoskeletal complaint has been evaluated, an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Don't Judge an Injury Only by the First Few Minutes
Feeling okay immediately after an accident does not necessarily mean you will continue feeling that way.
Pay attention to how your body responds over the following hours and days.
For people throughout Fargo, West Fargo, and Horace, ND, IllumINNATE Walk-In Family Chiropractic provides convenient access to musculoskeletal evaluation and chiropractic care when post-accident soreness begins interfering with everyday life.