Car accidents are traumatic for anyone, even if it’s just a “fender-bender.”
Car accidents can cause physical, mental, and emotional trauma for victims.Even if the “fender-bender” doesn’t look that bad for your car, your body may have actually absorbed most of the impact. It is not uncommon for injuries to stay hidden for a few days before symptoms arise. We will walk you through the top 6 delayed accident symptoms.
Accident Symptom #1: Neck and Shoulder Pain
If you felt fine right after the car accident, you have decided to go to work the next day. However, as time passed your neck and shoulders began to feel sore, and eventually painful. If the pain is severe you may even decide to go home.
Don’t ignore neck pain following a car crash. Neck and shoulder pain typically indicates you are suffering from whiplash. If you begin to experience pain or stiffness in these areas, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor immediately. Chiropractors are the experts in treating whiplash.
Accident Symptom #2: Headaches or Migraines
Headaches are a common delayed car accident symptom. Though they may seem manageable to you at first the headache may indicate a much more severe injury such as:
- concussions
- whiplash
- neck injury
- head or brain injury
- blood clots
Even if your head received no physical damage from debris or impact, severe damage can be caused from your neck hyper extending or moving in unnatural directions. We recommend going to the ER or receiving an MRI to rule out brain damage,concussions, and blood clots.
Once those options have been ruled out, we suggest receiving chiropractic care to treat your whiplash or neck injury. Our patients usually find dramatic relief from their headaches after receiving treatment from our chiropractors.
Accident Symptom #3: Back Pain
Back pain is another common delayed accident symptom. Back pain following an auto accident can point to one of the following injuries:
- herniated disc
- spinal injury
- sprain
- whiplash
- soft tissue injury
If you are experiencing tingling or numbness that is a key sign of pinched nerves. Though the severity of these injuries vary, they can be debilitating. The pain and injury may also cause mobility challenges. To prevent long term pain it’s important to make an appointment for treatment.
What is a Herniated Disc?
The vertebrae that form your spine are supported and cushioned by discs. The discs are round and act as shock absorbers for the bones in the spine. A herniated disc is when a disc bulges, slips out of place, or ruptures. If you are experiencing a herniated disc, it is a sign that there is degeneration in your spine.
Since there is limited space in the spinal canal, if a disc becomes displaced it will press on the spinal nerves producing severe pain. Though herniated discs can happen anywhere along the spine they are most common in the lower back (lumbar) and neck (cervical).
Herniated discs can be caused by an extreme injury or strain. However, herniated discs occur with age with the natural degeneration of the spine.
Chiropractic Care is the best method to treat herniated discs to avoid surgery. Though surgery may be needed in extreme cases, it can often be avoided. One of the methods we use to treat herniated discs is decompression therapy.
Accident Symptom #4: Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is a critical symptom and should be examined immediately as soon as it appears. Abdominal pain is a sign that there may be internal bleeding. Internal bleeding cam go undiscovered for hours of even days. This condition is life-threatening and needs to be treated by emergency medical professionals immediately.
Accident Symptom #5: PTSD
After an auto accident it is possible to experience a rise in emotional stress or distress. you may be scared to drive or get in a car. This may be a sign that you have developed PTSD, another one of the 6 delayed accident symptoms.
PTSD is a mental disorder occurring after trauma. It is very common in police officers and military soldiers, sexual assault victims. There are many traumatic events that can cause PTSD and car accident is worsen over time. It can effect the quality of your life by dictating how you should function. we highly recommend to seek out a professional to help with your PTSD. Service animals are commonly utilized to calm the victim and prevent or manage panic attacks.
Accident Symptom #6: Behavioral Changes
Brain injuries, like concussions, can cause behavioral changes and is an injury commonly found in car accident patients. Behavioral changes include:
- impaired memory or thought process
- impaired movement
- vision problems
How RxWellness Can Help Your Car Accident Symptoms
RxWellness Spine & Heath is a chiropractic practice specializing in treating car accident injuries like whiplash. Our services include chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy. Our goal is to make sure our patients experience optimal recovery from their car accident injuries. Our doctors are experts in treating auto accident injuries in Vienna, VA.
If you were not at fault in your car accident, bring your claim number from the auto insurance to your first appointment with RxWellness. We will work with the auto insurance to cover your medical expenses so that you do not have to pay out of pocket.
In addition to coverage from the liable party auto insurance, there are other payment options if you’ve been in a car accident such as med-pay or health insurance.
Don’t let your car accident injury worsen or fester. Get your injury treated to avoid chronic pain down the road. If you are experiencing one of the 6 delayed accident symptoms call us today at 703-904-9666 to schedule an appointment.
See Also
Most Common Car Accident Injuries & How To Treat Them
10 Reasons to See a Car Accident Chiropractor for Pain Relief
Car Accident Seat Belt Injuries-Chiropractic Treatment
5 Reasons to Have Physical Therapy After A Car Accident
Treating Painful Muscle Spasms After A Car Accident