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Whiplash and Delayed Onset of Pain

by | Feb 20, 2022 | The Rubin Chiropractic Health Center Blog

Whiplash is a common injury among auto accident victims and athletes. This condition occurs as a result of sudden neck trauma and can have long-lasting symptoms if the patient doesn’t receive prompt treatment.

Unfortunately, in many cases of whiplash, patients experience a delayed onset of pain. Here, we’ll discuss whiplash, why it often causes delayed symptoms, and what you can do to make a fast recovery from this neck injury.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is caused by a rapid whipping motion of the neck. As we’ve already mentioned, this is a common car accident and sports injury. When the neck is quickly whipped back and forth, the neck tissues can sustain damage.

Why Whiplash Pain Can Be Delayed

Often, patients with whiplash don’t experience pain until hours or even days following the injury. This can prolong the patient’s recovery process and may even lead to worsened symptoms.

Whiplash can cause delayed onset of pain because the neck tissues may take time to become inflamed. As the body reacts to the injury, it can take hours for the patient to feel pain and recognize other whiplash symptoms, such as headache, light sensitivity, nausea, and neck stiffness.

Delayed Whiplash Symptoms After a Car Accident

Immediately after a car accident, the body may release a flood of adrenaline—

a hormone that contributes to your “fight or flight” response. Since it’s designed to protect you in dangerous situations, adrenaline can increase your energy levels and mute pain. So, you may not feel pain from whiplash until this adrenaline rush has had time to wear off.

Whiplash Treatment

After being in a car accident or other incident that makes the neck whip back and forth, visit a doctor for an evaluation. 

At Rubin Chiropractic Health Center, our doctors can diagnose whiplash and offer several treatment methods that can improve pain, inflammation, and stiffness. . Contact us today to schedule an appointment.