From fender bender to a major crash, any car accident can traumatize you. Mentally, emotionally, and physically, it’s hard to know all the ways your accident caused harm. Unfortunately, many injuries happen below the surface. Due to the shock, sometimes our bodies mask in injuries and delay symptoms. Concussions and whiplash often take several days to manifest themselves.
While mental and emotional disorientation and pain can be hard to deal with, the most difficult part about them is that they can distract you from noticing the physical damage that’s been done.
So here are some physical symptoms you’ll want to watch for:
- Headaches
- Neck or shoulder pain/weakness
- Lower/upper back pain
- Difficulty moving or reduced range of motion
- Localized weakness or numbness
So here are some physical symptoms you’ll want to watch for:
- Headaches
- Neck or shoulder pain/weakness
- Lower/upper back pain
- Difficulty moving or reduced range of motion
- Localized weakness or numbness
1. Headaches
These are common after accidents, however, sometimes they can mean a serious problem. Headaches can signal a concussion, which can lead to bleeds or clots in the brain. They can result from a neck injury.
2. Neck or shoulder pain/weakness
Most rear-end collisions cause whiplash, which can take days to manifest itself. If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of whiplash, you may need x-rays, an MRI, or a CT to diagnose how serious it is.
3. Lower/upper back pain
Your seatbelt is designed to restrain your body through the force of a collision. While it likely saved your life, the repercussions can be injuries to ligaments, muscles, and nerves. Your ribs, spine and other bones may also have been injured during restriction.
4. Difficulty moving or reduced range of motion
The impact from your accident may have caused swelling of your tissues, or stiffness of your muscles. Both can contribute to limited mobility.
5. Localized weakness or numbness
Your nerves can easily be damaged in crashes. Pressure on, stretching, or severing nerves can interfere with their ability to communicate with limbs, appendages, and other muscles.
If you are experiencing the symptoms above, don’t hesitate to seek proper treatment! Non-emergent or surgical aches and pains can typically be cured with chiropractic visits. It’s easy to see the damage to your vehicle. An insurance company can go over the car and assess its prognosis, and then proceed with how to fix it.
While doctors can also run tests and x-rays to diagnose the extent of your injuries, your local chiropractor can be the long-term healing process your body may not even know it needs.
Stanlick Chiropractic offers various treatments to realign your spine, relieve pressure, and help your body to heal on its own. You don’t need to carry invisible scars from your traumatic experience. Let your body be a sign of strength, not a reminder of pain. Make an appointment today; you’ve suffered enough.
