Is It Normal to Have Body Aches After a Minor Car Accident?

Being in a car accident, even a minor one, can be a shocking and stressful experience. Your body triggers the fight or flight mode in response to the collision. Once the initial adrenaline wears off, you may start to notice some aches and pains setting in. This is quite common after accidents. How do you know what kinds of aches are normal versus those that need medical care?

 

What Causes Post-Accident Body Aches?

A few key factors contribute to feeling sore following any car accident:

 

Force of Impact

When two vehicles collide, the people inside experience rapid deceleration forces against their bodies. Muscles and connective tissues stretch and contract quickly to brace against those forces. That sudden, forceful movement can strain muscles throughout the body.

 

Tension From Bracing 

Many people tense up and brace during an accident without realizing it. You may grip the wheel tightly. You may also press hard into the seat. This can lead to muscle tension, headaches, stiffness, and soreness over the next 24 to 48 hours.

 

Inflammation

Trauma and injuries to soft tissues often lead to inflammation as part of the healing response. Swelling around strained areas can cause throbbing, tenderness, and range of motion issues while the body recovers.
 

These effects often leave accident victims feeling generally achy all over. This is the case even when there are no major collision injuries.

 

Common Areas of Body Soreness

While aches can occur anywhere, some areas often feel worse due to their role in bracing and impact forces. Key places accident victims commonly report soreness are as follows:

• Neck: Whiplash motions place a lot of strain on the delicate neck muscles and soft tissues. Soreness here ranges from minor stiffness to the inability to turn the head fully.
• Shoulders: Shoulders frequently tense up during collisions as the body braces against seat belt locking. This leads to stiffness and aches. Muscle tenderness may also result from gripping the steering wheel tightly.
• Mid and low back: Lower spine areas brace hard against seat belts while the back presses into car seats. This commonly results in tight and sore muscles. 
• Chest and torso: Seat belts lock forcefully against the ribcage during the rapid deceleration. Leaner people often report chest wall and abdominal muscle soreness as those areas absorb more force.

Knowing what to expect can provide some peace of mind. If pain sets in immediately or worsens dramatically over the first 48 hours post-accident, seeing a doctor is advisable.

Warning Signs to Seek Medical Care

Moderate general aches often resolve with rest. However, certain red flags warrant medical evaluation following any car accident:

• Severe pain interfering with sleep or daily tasks
• Numbness, tingling, weakness in an arm or leg
• Loss of range of motion or flexibility
• Visible bruising or swelling
• Shooting pain into the extremities
• Difficulty bearing weight or walking
• Headache combined with dizziness, nausea, confusion

These symptoms may indicate muscular damage, bone fractures, pinched nerves, or other issues needing treatment. 

 

When to Follow Up With Your Doctor After an Accident

Expect some residual stiffness and discomfort in the week following a minor accident. Lingering symptoms do not always warrant immediate care. However, if you notice pain or limited mobility persisting beyond seven to 10 days, check in with your doctor or health clinic.
 

A medical professional can evaluate underlying injuries. They may order imaging or testing to assess damage. Early treatment of strain-related issues can help prevent chronic problems.

Being in a car accident leaves many unsettled and dealing with physical after-effects. Try not to tough it out if your body hurts more than expected during recovery. While minor muscular aches often fade within a week or two, pay attention to any concerning or prolonged symptoms. Getting assessed for lingering strain-related pain can help you continue healing. 

For more on pain relief after a car accident, visit Back To Wellness at our Bend, Oregon office. Call (541) 633-6563 to schedule an appointment today.