You walked away from the car accident thinking, “I’m fine.” Maybe you have a little soreness, but nothing that seems serious. So you go home, get some rest, and move on with your day.
A few hours later or even a few days into the aftermath, your neck starts hurting, your back is stiff, or a headache shows up. Suddenly, you’re wondering if you’re really as fine as you assumed.
At New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and Matamoras, Pennsylvania, Ajay Kumar, MD, and our team provide evaluations for auto accidents even if you originally felt fine after the crash. Getting ahead of injuries masked by adrenalin at the scene can help head off serious back pain or neck pain later.
A moderate car crash typically triggers an immediate adrenaline response. This response can temporarily mask pain, meaning that you walk away from an accident without realizing you’ve been injured. You could have sustained a fracture, sprain, strain, or internal organ damage.
Inflammation starts developing right away, though. As swelling increases around injured muscles, joints, or nerves, the pain, stiffness, and other symptoms start to show up.
That’s why even if you don’t feel hurt or you don’t know whether you have whiplash, you need to get a medical checkup as soon as is practical after an auto accident.
Pain hours or days after the event is only one sign that something may be wrong. After an accident, you should pay attention to your body if other delayed symptoms arise. You may experience:
Many car accident injuries are minor and resolve quickly. Others may require treatment and can become persistent problems if they go undiagnosed. It’s even possible to develop a serious condition like chronic widespread pain after a car crash.
Feeling fine immediately after an accident doesn’t always mean you escaped injury. If pain appears later, listen to what your body is telling you and get checked out.
When you see Dr. Kumar at New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center, he evaluates the circumstances of your accident, reviews your symptoms and medical history, and performs a physical examination. He may recommend diagnostic testing, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs when appropriate.
Once Dr. Kumar knows the extent of the physical concerns you’re aware of as well as any hidden injuries, he creates a specialized recovery plan tailored to you. The goal is to help you avoid a painful or immobilizing accident aftermath.
Have you been in a car accident? Contact New Jersey Advanced Pain Management Center to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kumar and our team so we can help you get ahead of the pain.
