If you’ve been in a car crash and have fortunately escaped serious injury, that’s great. But even if you’ve headed home with a sigh of relief, be aware that you could notice pain and some strange stiffness in parts of your body over the next few days or weeks.
It’s somewhat common following car accidents. Here’s what to look for:
Neck and Shoulder Pain
One of the more common injuries that occurs after an accident is whiplash. Rear-end collisions are usually the culprit, and these injuries can become more painful with time. Be sure to seek medical care at Keith Clinic Estramonte Chiropractic at the first sign of neck and shoulder pain. There are several tests available to provide you with a quick and accurate diagnosis.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is another painful condition that can occur days after a car crash. It also commonly occurs as the result of a rear-end collision. It’s possible that a ligament, nerve, or muscle was injured during the crash, so seek timely medical care if the pain continues or worsens over the few days following your crash.
Headaches
Headaches after a car accident can be completely benign due to the stress of the accident, but should still warrant a fair amount of caution.
If you are injured in a crash and begin to experience regular headaches afterward, seek medical care. It could be something serious like a blood clot in the brain, an injury to the neck, or even a concussion.
In addition to a headache, other signs of a serious concussion include the following:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Neck pain
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
Abdominal Pain or Swelling
This could be a serious sign of internal bleeding and should not be ignored. If not treated promptly, it could be life-threatening.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is quite common after a serious car crash. Victims can have vivid memories of the incident, which may cause nightmares, anxiety about anything that reminds them of the accident, and debilitating flashbacks. While there is no quick fix to PTSD, it is crucial that individuals seek proper counseling for the management of their symptoms.
Numbness and Tingling
Numbness and tingling in the hands and arms can be signs of damage to the spinal column or neck.
You may walk away from a car accident thinking everything is fine, but days or even weeks later you begin to have pain or other abnormal symptoms. Don’t ignore them. Contact Keith Clinic right away to address your concerns and seek appropriate medical care.
If you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call a Keith Clinic location or request an appointment online today!