Delayed neck pain after a car accident can cause pain or stiffness that doesn’t always appear immediately but can develop after several hours or even days later. Your body may be feeling the effects of trauma during the accident, and you may not be aware of the pain immediately. Your body’s natural stress response, which includes adrenaline, can mask how you feel. Once it wears off, inflammation and swelling may increase in the next few days or weeks, causing stiffness, soreness, strained muscles, whiplash, or irritated nerves. Seeing a chiropractor if you are experiencing these symptoms after an auto accident can provide answers and potential treatment.
It’s not unusual for neck pain to develop days after a car accident. Adrenaline and shock can hide it, but once these wear off, you may notice you have inflammation and pain. Whiplash is one of the most common causes of neck pain, and you also could have soft tissue bruising, swelling around your joints, or muscle strains. Sometimes a disc will bulge or irritate nerves in the days following an accident. Delayed pain can be a sign that you may need treatment.
Common features of delayed neck pain after a car accident may include:
Symptoms can sometimes be subtle if you’re experiencing delayed neck pain. You might have a stiff neck that limits your range of motion, headaches, or soreness that spreads into nearby muscles. Some patients are fatigued or experience tingling in their arms and hands. These symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, even if you think they’re minor, because they could be due to whiplash or a bulging disc. Before they progress into chronic problems, it’s wise to see a chiropractor who can assess and treat them.
Delayed neck pain could accelerate to more serious health issues if it limits your ability to function or is combined with worrisome symptoms like painful headaches, stiffness that limits your range of motion, or pain that becomes stronger. Your nerves could be involved if you experience numbness, weakness, or tingling in your arms or hands. Vision changes or dizziness could mean there are more complex injuries. Seek proper medical attention to rule out more serious issues and get treatment.
If severe delayed neck pain develops after the high-impact trauma of a car accident, getting care from a chiropractor can give you immediate relief without taking medication. Each treatment plan created at Portland Wellness Care is developed for you and your specific injury. The doctor may recommend mobilization, hot or cold therapy, or guided exercises to support healing and prevent future flare-ups.
Early chiropractic care can provide you with benefits if you’re suffering from a neck injury after an auto accident. The sooner you start treatment, the easier it will be to prevent the pain from becoming chronic. Chiropractors use hands-on techniques to ease nerve pressure, align your spine, and speed up healing in your neck. Their approach to healing means your recovery will be smoother and may prevent pain from occurring later.
Full recovery from delayed neck pain can take 2 weeks to 6 months or longer, depending on how severe your injury is, when your treatment begins, and how your body responds. If you’re suffering from whiplash or have nerve or disc involvement, you may need at least several months of treatment and rehabilitation to recover. Every person’s timeline for healing varies. Ongoing treatment from a skilled chiropractor will give you the best odds of preventing chronic pain, restoring proper alignment, and supporting your body’s natural healing process.
Many insurance companies want detailed medical documentation about your injuries after you’re in a car accident, and you might also need documentation if you’re planning to file a legal case. Chiropractors can provide you with thorough records about your injury, planned treatments, imaging results, and your progress to support your insurance claim. These records may help if you need to ensure your medical expenses are covered.
If you have delayed neck pain after a car accident and also more serious symptoms like weakness, worsening pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or arms, or intense headaches, it’s time to seek immediate medical attention. Visit Portland Wellness Care, where our chiropractor and medical providers can evaluate your delayed neck pain symptoms and make sure you receive expert care and treatment.
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