What To Expect Physically After An Accident – What’s Normal & What’s Not

The busier the city, the more accidents there will be. Sarasota is populated with tens of thousands of busy individuals, and you never know when the next accident will involve you. The Impact Medical Sarasota team encourages you to drive safely and educate yourself on what to expect physically after an accident including what’s normal and what’s not.

After an accident, it’s normal to expect some aches and pains throughout the shoulder, neck, back, and limbs. Symptoms that are not so normal and require immediate attention include a lack of motor skills like dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. Let’s take a closer look at what these symptoms mean and what you can do:

What’s Normal For Your Body After An Accident?

Even the smallest collisions have their repercussions, whether it be a small bruise or a light scrape at best. However, it isn’t uncommon to suffer from more undesirable physical symptoms for as long as a few days following the accident. Some injuries that may not be immediately life-threatening include those in the shoulder, neck, and spinal cord, all of which could be associated with whiplash. You might be experiencing any of these injuries if you have the following symptoms:

Aches or pains in the joints, tendons, or muscles
Noticeable swelling in the joints, tendons, or muscles
Stiffness or lack of motion
Nerve damage followed by a numbing or tingling sensation

What To Do To Help Treat Or Relieve These Symptoms

Although these symptoms may not always warrant an emergency, it’s still best to visit a practitioner sooner rather than later to limit the damages and the time needed for recovery. Many of these symptoms can be treated or relieved by visiting a qualified chiropractor, physical therapist, or manual therapist. With the right care, you can ease your body back into a normal functioning state.

Learn more > What Are The Most Common Accident Injuries Treated With Manual Therapy

What’s Not Normal After Experiencing A Car Crash

While many physical damages are common and to be expected, there are other symptoms that can incite cause for concern. As a general rule of thumb, anything to do with brain activity or motor functions should never be ignored. Examples include:

Brain fog or confusion
Disorientation
Lethargy
Sensitivity to light
Ringing ears (or tinnitus)
Headaches

When the head takes a substantial blow, the brain can react in a number of ways and this is usually consistent with nausea and vomiting. More often than not, the consequences of not treating these symptoms immediately could result in dangerous outcomes.

Brain trauma isn’t the only post-accident occurrence that can be considered an emergency situation. If you experience sharp pain from trying to put weight on a body part like your foot, leg, or arm, you may have a bone fracture. If you’re suffering from intense stomach or abdominal pain paired with nausea, you may have internal bleeding.

What Should You Do If You Have Any Of The Above?

Some things can’t wait for your next scheduled appointment with a doctor or chiropractor. If you suspect that you may have a brain injury or internal bleeding, seek emergency care immediately.

Treat Your Post-Accident Symptoms At Impact Medical!

Are you experiencing soreness or tightness in the shoulder, neck, or spine? Call Impact Medical Sarasota today at (941) 222-1157 to ask about being seen for whiplash treatment or other types of recovery through physical therapy. We will do everything we can to help you regain your mobility and strength so you can take back control!