Resources
Delayed symptoms after a collision
Why neck and back pain can show up 24 to 72 hours later, and what to do about it.
It is common to walk away from a collision feeling fine and wake up two days later unable to turn your head. Adrenaline and inflammation both take time to settle, and the injuries underneath are usually there from the moment of impact.
Why it happens
Adrenaline masks pain for hours. Inflammation peaks at 24 to 72 hours. Muscle guarding, the body's way of protecting an injured joint, sets in over the first few days. The result is a delay between the crash and the pain.
What to watch for
Neck stiffness, headaches at the base of the skull, low back pain, pain that travels into an arm or leg, numbness or tingling, and trouble sleeping.
What to do
Get evaluated within 72 hours even if the pain is mild. Early examination documents what happened, catches injuries before guarding makes them worse, and starts a plan. In DFW, Q Factor can usually come to you the same day.
Educational information only, not a substitute for medical advice. Individual results vary.
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