After a car crash, you are likely on high alert for any symptoms that may appear in the hours and days following the event. It can sometimes be hard to determine what is a normal ache or what might be a sign of something more serious. If you are even a little unsure, it’s always a good idea to visit a Jonesboro chiropractor to evaluate your symptoms and rule out any severe injuries. Below are some of the most common symptoms you may experience after being involved in a car accident to help you know what to look for.
Neck and Shoulder Pain
If you were wearing a seatbelt during your accident, it likely prevented you from much more serious damage, but it can have some negative effects. The pressure against the neck and shoulder can lead to damage to this area that causes pain and a limited range of motion. Dislocated shoulders often happen due to this pressure, or bones can even be broken with enough force. In addition to injuries the bones, soft tissues in the neck and shoulder may also be damaged, leading to strains, sprains, or tears. The most common of these ailments is whiplash, where ligaments in the neck tear due to a forceful back and forth motion upon impact.
While shoulder and neck pain are common and usually easily treated by a Jonesboro chiropractor, they can also indicate more serious injuries like nerve damage, fractured vertebrae, or bulging discs which can be serious and lifelong complications. Even if you are experiencing mild pain, having this looked at can rule out any serious injuries.
Headaches
One of the most common symptoms that comes up after a car accident is headaches, but these are unfortunately not linked to a single injury. They can indicate a wide range of problems, from mild to severe. If you experienced a hard blow to the head, you may be on the lookout for headaches and similar symptoms, but this is not necessary to indicate a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Severe jerking of the head can cause the brain to hit the skull and cause these issues as well.
Headaches can also indicate damage to soft tissue in the neck or shoulders that causes pain in the base of the skull specifically. In some cases, they may simply be due to extreme stress and anxiety caused by the incident.
Because there is no one reason for headaches, it is important to seek care from a Jonesboro chiropractor if you notice this symptom in yourself. While it may be as simple as delayed stress, headaches could indicate traumatic brain injuries that require monitoring or intervention and cannot be left untreated.
Back Pain
The same tension or strain that can lead to neck and shoulder pain can often lead to back pain following a car accident, leading to stiff and painful muscles and other soft tissues in the back. Some of these injuries may feel like typical aches and pains, but back pain should be taken seriously as it can indicate much larger problems in the future.
If the spinal vertebrae or discs themselves are injured, they can lead to chronic pain for a long time following the accident. This pain can be so intense it prevents the sufferer from doing their normal activities going forward. When left untreated, these symptoms are likely to progress into long-term disability.
Even mild back pain is worth a trip to a Jonesboro chiropractor to address the symptoms before they escalate into something that can’t be easily treated.
Abdominal Pain
The pressure of a seatbelt may cause some bruising or general soreness in your abdomen following a car accident. When the seatbelt works as it’s supposed to, it can pull tight across the body and cause superficial damage like this. However, if the strength of the impact is enough, it may cause more severe issues and lead to internal bleeding.
You may experience general abdominal pain or digestive issues, and even though these feel unrelated, they should always be assessed. Internal bleeding can often go unnoticed until it is a life-threatening issue and catching it early may save lives.
If you have recently been in a car accident and are experiencing any out of the ordinary aches or pains, seeking out a Jonesboro chiropractor is always a good idea. At AICA Jonesboro, our team takes a holistic approach, offering you access to a staff of medical specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and more. These experts work together to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief.