15 Nov 4 Common Injuries That Go Unnoticed after a Car Accident

Have you been involved in a car accident recently? If so, you may have symptoms that you have not even noticed or have brushed aside. These often unnoticed injuries could worsen if left untreated.

1. Whiplash

Perhaps the most common among car accident injuries—whiplash. This injury occurs when your head is thrust forward and backward in a rapid motion. It can result in tightness in the neck and should area and lead to headaches. If you think you may have whiplash, see a doctor to ensure that does not lead to further or lasting injury. A chiropractor can also be a great help to relieve some of that tension. Often times whiplash will not manifest itself right away, but symptoms may start days or even a week after the accident.

2. Muscle Injuries

When your body is involved in any sort of collision, it is prone to suffer some injury as a result of the sudden and unexpected jolt. These sorts of injuries will not always show up on an X-ray, so they are often overlooked. If you are experiencing swelling or pain post-accident, you may have suffered some sort of muscle, tendon, or ligament damage. When your body is not braced for impact, that sudden movement can injury you just as a fall or twisted ankle might. Even if that particular part of the body has not hit anything during the accident, the jolt can injure you. It’s possible that you may have also hit something without even noticing in the fast moments of an auto accident.

3. Headaches

It’s easy to shrug off the significance of a headache. But it could mean something more than just a little discomfort. The pain of a headache could stem from a concussion or other serious injury. Concussions vary in their level of severity, but with any head injury, you should consult a medical professional as it could be something more serious. Even if your head was not hit during the accident, the sudden jolt of an accident can still lead to a concussion or even brain damage. Symptoms of a concussion include blurred sight, foggy mind, trouble remembering, difficulty sleeping, or difficulty staying awake.

Headaches after a car wreck can also be a result of tightness in the neck and back. Working through any of this tightness with some stretches and massages will save you from some future pain.

4. Back Pain

Feeling pressure in the back or neck after a car wreck is common. With the joint sensation of a car accident, it’s easy for something in your back or neck to be thrown off. If this pain persists you should see a chiropractor. You could have a spinal or disc injury or other joint injuries that will only worsen over time. If you are experiencing any numb feelings or tingling, you may have a herniated disk and should seek medical help immediately. For general soreness and tightness around your spinal, you may just need to stretch and massage it out.