It is not uncommon for a person to feel unharmed after heavy exertion, a slip and fall, or being involved in a minor accident. Instead, the injury incurred may become painful later. Back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, radicular pain, and other types of pain often become apparent a day or two later. When this happens, people often assume their symptoms are related to having slept wrong, getting older, or a separate event rather than connecting it to the accident.
Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO), located throughout Northern New Jersey, provides comprehensive medical care and pain relief for a wide variety of brain, spine, nerve, or musculoskeletal related conditions. When a person experiences pain without relief, it is important to see a pain management specialist to diagnose the condition and cure its cause.
What Causes a Delay in Pain After an Accident?
When the body is subjected to extreme circumstances, it enters into a survival mode to defend itself against dangers and threats, often referred to as fight or flight. When the body senses mental or physical stress, it releases chemical responses, such as:
Adrenaline
Many individuals are familiar with adrenaline. Produced in the adrenal glands, adrenaline is a hormone that gives the body a burst of energy and awareness during a stressful or dangerous situation. When adrenaline courses through the body, individuals generally experience the following:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Expanded passageways for oxygen to the lungs
- Increased circulation for blood to reach the muscles
- More glucose released to fuel cells
Adrenaline creates the state a person typically feels after being involved in an accident.
Endorphins
The body responds to traumatic events by sending a chemical response through the neurotransmitters called endorphins. Endorphins are produced in the brain and are released to help the body relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve mood. Additionally, these hormones can help a person sustain a feeling of well-being after experiencing a minor accident.
These natural body responses are why a person might not feel pain immediately after an accident, even if they have sustained an injury. However, pain resulting from the accident can show up days later, after the body’s fight-or-flight response stops.
Common Delayed Injuries After an Accident
A person involved in a traumatic event, such as a car accident or a slip and fall, should be mindful if any painful symptoms occur afterward. Personal injury property insurance (PIP Insurance) and other liability insurance will cover the medically related expenses if the patient informs the CNSO doctor, their insurance, or in the event someone else caused the accident, a Personal Injury attorney. The most common symptoms that arise a day or two after an accident are:
Back Pain
The impact a person experiences during a car accident or other similar event can lead to severe back pain and spinal injuries. Disc disorders, such as herniated discs or slipped discs, can create pressure on the surrounding nerves and lead to debilitating symptoms.
Neck Pain
Much like the back, the neck is subject to injury during an event with impact. Whiplash is the most common neck injury sustained in a car accident. But a neck disc herniation is also common This type of condition can cause many symptoms, including:
- Neck pain
- Soreness
- Pain or tingling sensation radiating down one or both arms
- Limited range of motion
- Shoulder pain
- Pain around the Scapula
Headaches
Head injuries are always a top concern when a person is involved in an accident. Headaches are a common symptom following an accident, trauma, or other circumstances. A headache could be related to a concussion if the head was hit or a contusion if there was a rapid deceleration at the time of the accident. Headaches can also be related to a pinched nerve in the neck or a blood vessel tear resulting in bleeding in the brain.
Nerve Pain
A person involved in an accident may begin to feel a numbness or tingling sensation in the days after. Nerve pain usually is caused by damage or injury to the nerves surrounding the spine, such as a pinched nerve.
Even if a person does not experience these symptoms, it is still important that they seek medical attention after an accident. Patients who leave their injuries untreated can allow the condition to progress, leading to worsening outcomes.
Pain Relief at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics
Patients throughout northern New Jersey involved in an accident should seek professional medical attention at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics. Our medical staff includes a variety of healthcare personnel to ensure every patient receives appropriate care: board-certified neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, plastic surgeons, interventional pain management physicians, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, and certified physical therapists.
Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics takes a conservative approach to pain management and treatment. The comprehensive pain management physicians are experts at all stages, from pain relief to physical therapy and surgery if necessary.
CNSO offers multiple convenient locations spanning across northern New Jersey, including Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, and Hudson counties. To learn more about the treatments offered, contact CNSO today.
