Not all auto accident injuries are apparent straight away. Learn about commonly delayed symptoms and ways we can help.
Walking away from a car or motorcycle accident without severe pain or obvious injuries may make you feel like one of the lucky ones. But feeling well immediately afterward doesn’t necessarily mean you’re injury-free.
Our experts at Physicians Group, with over 20 locations throughout Florida and Minnesota, diagnose and treat car accident injuries using minimally-invasive and holistic treatments.
Here’s a look at why some injury symptoms lurk beneath the surface at first and symptoms that commonly unfold later.
Why some auto accident symptoms are delayed
When your body goes through something stressful or nerve-wracking, it often releases the stress hormone adrenaline – also known as epinephrine. And that flood of large amounts, known as an adrenaline rush, may keep you from realizing you’ve been injured in a car wreck or fender bender.
Epinephrine increases your mental concentration, which can distract you from the pain you may be experiencing. You might even feel pumped up and almost invincible as your body attempts to shield you from further harm. This chemical reaction also causes blood vessels to contract to send blood to your major muscle groups, including your heart.
You may feel the adrenaline effects for an hour after your accident. And as your hormone levels normalize, pain may set in. You can also experience injuries that show no obvious symptoms, regardless of the adrenaline rush. An injury may grow progressively worse before you notice the signs.
Commonly delayed injury symptoms after an accident
Some car accident injuries are quite obvious due to excruciating pain or visible changes, such as a broken bone poked through your skin.
Five common injuries you might miss because of delayed symptoms include:
- Concussions, which may cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and vision problems days after your accident
- Minor fractures, which may cause severe pain once you use the affected body part
- Herniated discs, which may start subtly and worsen into severe neck or back pain
- Whiplash, which may not cause neck pain for the first 24 hours
- Sprains and strains, which, like fractures, can become more painful and inflamed with activity
Because these symptoms can unfold, getting checked out medically is wise after any accident. If you notice mild or worsening symptoms or have other reasons to suspect an injury, such as having endured quite an impact, don’t hesitate to seek medical care.
How we treat auto accident injuries
Your treatment for auto accident injuries will depend on the type and severity and your age. Treatments we may recommend include:
- Chiropractic care
- Epidural steroid injections
- Facet joint injections
- Interventional spine therapeutics
- Musculoskeletal ultrasound therapy
- Peripheral joint injections
- Regenerative medicine
- Radiofrequency neurolysis
- Spasticity management
- Trigger point injections
Surgery is reserved for severe injuries and conditions that don’t respond to more conservative treatments.
To learn more about delayed symptoms after an auto accident or to get the care you need, call one of our offices or book an appointment through our website today.