Have you recently been in a car accident? You’re not alone. Approximately 5.4 million accidents resulted in medically consulted injuries in 2021. Some injuries may be immediately obvious, like a broken bone or a deep cut. Some injuries might take days or even weeks to show up. In the chaos and aftermath of a car accident, your body is full of adrenaline and you’re feeling a surge of emotions. Don’t let this rush of adrenaline fool you. Your body may be experiencing hidden damage that you need to be mindful of. Buckle up as we go on a journey through the aftermath of car accidents. We’ll uncover surprising conditions that can emerge after the event, explore potential timelines for injury onset and the effects accidents can have on the human body, and discover how physical therapy can offer you a path to recovery.
Delayed impact: Conditions that can appear after a car accident
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries. Some might not show their true colors right away. The effects of a car crash on a human body that can develop days or even weeks after the initial crash include:
- Whiplash — Whiplash is a common injury caused by a car accident. It affects the neck muscles and ligaments and causes symptoms like pain, stiffness and headaches. These symptoms may not appear until hours or even a day or two after the accident. The sudden movement of the head during a car crash can cause this soft tissue to be stretched or torn beyond its normal limits.
- Soft tissue injuries — Muscles, ligaments and tendons can all be strained, sprained or torn in a car accident. These injuries may not cause you immediate pain — you may experience soreness, stiffness or limited mobility in the affected area days later. You can think of soft tissue injuries like tiny tears in a piece of fabric. They may not completely rip it apart initially, but the damage can weaken the fabric and lead to problems in the future.
- Internal bleeding — Internal bleeding can be a serious complication, especially if it goes unnoticed. Even if it happens right away, it can take time for symptoms like dizziness, weakness or severe abdominal pain to appear. Internal bleeding can occur anywhere in the body. During a car accident, it’s more common to happen in the abdomen, chest or head.
- Concussion — A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head. A minor bump can still disrupt the way your brain functions. Even a mild concussion may not show symptoms immediately. You may experience headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems or difficulty concentrating in the days following the accident.
- Back and neck pain — The force of a car accident can put a lot of stress on your spine. This stress can cause pain in your back and neck that may not develop until days later. The sudden impact can cause your muscles to spasm, ligaments to stretch, or the discs in your spine to move out of alignment. These all can contribute to delayed neck and back pain.
- Psychological trauma – Car accidents can be a traumatic experience. This experience can lead to the development of symptoms of anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the days, weeks or even months after the accident. You may have flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, irritability or difficulty concentrating.
How long after a car accident can injuries appear?
The time frame for the effect of injuries to appear after a car accident can vary depending on a variety of factors, including:
- Severity of impact.
- Specific injury.
- Your body’s individual response to trauma.
For a general timeline, symptoms might show up within:
- 24 to 48 hours — This is the most common window for injuries like whiplash and soft tissue strains to develop (although whiplash symptoms can appear later than this). These injuries involve microscopic tears in muscles, ligaments and tendons. Your initial adrenaline surge may mask the pain. As the adrenaline wears off and inflammation sets in, discomfort can become more noticeable. Another potential delayed injury includes “seat belt syndrome,” which can take a few days to present and is characterized by abrasions to the neck, chest and abdomen. It can also cause damage to the abdomen. Please note that while “seat belt syndrome” can be a risk in a car accident, it’s still safer than not wearing a seat belt.
- Days or weeks — Internal bleeding, some back and neck pain, and concussions can take longer to show up. Internal bleeding can take time for symptoms like dizziness, weakness or severe abdominal pain to appear. Concussions can disrupt the brain in subtle ways that may not be immediately noticed. Back and neck pain can develop as inflammation increases and puts pressure on the nerves in the area.
- Months — Psychological effects like anxiety or PTSD may not surface until weeks or even months after the car accident. Processing the trauma can take time. These emotional and mental health challenges can develop gradually.
Symptoms to look for that could indicate you have a delayed injury from a car accident:
- Headaches.
- Vision problems.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Excessive sleepiness or fatigue.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Anxiety or depression.
- Numbness or tingling.
- Abdominal pain.
- Neck or shoulder pain or stiffness.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, and if you are concerned about any symptoms after your car accident, you should seek medical attention. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
How physical therapy can help after a car accident injury
Physical therapy can be a powerful tool to help you recover from a car accident injury, even if your injury is delayed. A skilled physical therapist can help get you back on track through:
- Pain management — Physical therapists use a variety of techniques like manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and other modalities to help reduce pain and inflammation. Manual therapy involves hands-on techniques to help improve joint mobility, loosen tight muscles and reduce pain signals sent to your brain. Therapeutic exercises can be specifically chosen to help strengthen weakened muscles, improve flexibility and restore your body’s natural movement patterns. Electrical stimulation can also be used to help manage your pain by interrupting pain signals and promoting tissue healing.
- Improved mobility — Stiffness and pain can restrict your daily activities. Physical therapy can help break down scar tissue, improve flexibility and strengthen muscles supporting your joints. They may use techniques like trigger point therapy. This technique focuses on identifying and deactivating trigger points. These are tight knots in your muscles that can cause pain and limit your range of motion. By applying pressure or using specific tools, trigger point therapy can help release tension and improve mobility.
- Strengthening — Your physical therapist can create a personalized strengthening program to target specific muscles weakened in the accident. Stronger muscles can help improve your stability and reduce your risk of future injuries.
- Scar tissue management — Scar tissue formation after an injury can cause pain and stiffness. Physical therapists can use a variety of techniques like soft tissue mobilization and the Graston Technique® to break down scar tissue and improve flexibility. The Graston Technique involves using specialized stainless steel tools to apply friction to the target scar tissue area. It can help promote healing and reduce pain associated with scar tissue buildup.
Don’t wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help after a car accident. Even being in a minor car accident means you should have a complete evaluation by a medical professional. Early intervention can be the key to a smooth and successful recovery. Physical therapy can be a valuable addition to your treatment plan. It can help address the root causes of your pain and discomfort and can pave the way for effective healing.
Get back on the road to recovery with physical therapy at Panther PT
While the initial impact of your car accident might seem like it wasn’t a big deal, hidden injuries can develop days or even weeks later. Our licensed physical therapists at Panther Physical Therapy are here to help you regain control of your body and your life. We use a variety of techniques to create a personalized treatment plan — from manual therapy and therapeutic exercises to address pain and weakness, to trigger point therapy and the Graston Technique — to help improve your mobility and break down scar tissue. Each treatment plan is created with your unique, individual concerns, needs and recovery goals in mind. We understand the challenges a car accident injury presents, especially a delayed injury. Let us help you get back on the path to optimal well-being.
Call us or request an appointment today for information about treatment after a car accident.