When someone is harmed in an accident, the most prevalent injuries are to the muscles and joints.
Ligamentous injuries and disc injuries also generally occur due to the nature and impact involved in car accidents.
But pain after a car collision doesn't always start soon after the accident.
The body produces natural endorphins and pain killers to allow the body to proceed to operate in order to flee. This is regularly referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Over the first 72 hours, the torn and damaged muscles signal to the body that they have been damaged and swelling occurs. This is known as the ‘inflammatory’ phase. During this period, stiffness and enhanced pain are commonly noted.
My sense is that patients react best to care following an auto accident if we can begin joint mobilization and strengthen as soon as possible. I have noticed the most significant impact with treatment within the first 3 months after the initial injury before scarring and contracture of the soft tissues occurs.
Patients are oftentimes surprised that they wake up feeling worse over the next several days because they felt ‘fine’ directly after the car accident.
One of the side effects of inflammation can be scarring of the muscles and adhesions to nearby structures, which can lead to permanent loss of motion and a feeling of stiffness and tightness in the muscles.
The next step in the healing process occurs over the next several weeks as the body starts to repair the harmed tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments). Throughout this phase, it is very necessary for the tissues maintain full motion.
We Offer All Our New Chiropractic Patients A Free Tens Unit
A TENS Unit is a safe, non-invasive, drug-free way to ease pain after a car collision when used as directed.
The body supplies collagen in the injured and torn tissues in a random and disorganized formation. Beneath a microscope, muscle and tendon fibres are oriented in a parallel structure, which enables them to expand and snap back to their resting length.
When collagen and inflammation happen, cross-linking and scarring perpendicular to the muscles also occurs, and this will limit the amount of flexibility and stretch in those tissues.
It is imperative that the tissues be taken through their entire range of movement to reduce the amount of scarring and cross-linking that occurs in order to preserve a full range of motion.
That is why chiropractic is incredibly effective at helping with whiplash and sprain/strain associated disorders. Chiropractic takes the specific joints and tissues of the spine in their full ranges of motion as those muscles are healing, dramatically decreasing and breaking up any scar tissue before it can contract.
Accepted literature supports that most muscular sprain/strain injuries should heal within 6-8 weeks. It is also well known that muscle heals faster due to its rich blood supply.
Ligamentous injuries (e.g. disc injuries, tendon injuries, and ligaments) can take up to 24 months or longer to heal, as they lack these same healing qualities as muscles.
The big take-home from my blog today is that a car accident can lead to serious injuries even if you do not see pain immediately after. It is always best to be checked and have a thorough history used to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome after being injured.
At Northwest Accident and Injury Clinic, we have a decade of experience treating people who are in pain after a car accident. Whether you have minor or severe injuries, we can help.
