After a motor vehicle collision (MVC), it's not uncommon to feel little or no pain immediately afterward. In fact, many people walk away from an accident believing they were not injured, only to develop symptoms hours or even days later. The body's natural stress response can temporarily mask pain, allowing underlying injuries to go unnoticed in the early stages.

Key Insight:

Even low-speed collisions can place significant forces on the neck, back, muscles, ligaments, joints, and nervous system. While not every accident results in injury, some conditions—such as whiplash-associated disorders, muscle strains, ligament sprains, or joint dysfunction—may not produce symptoms right away. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify injuries that may otherwise be overlooked and determine whether additional testing or treatment is needed.

Research has shown that early assessment and appropriate management of musculoskeletal injuries may improve recovery and reduce the risk of persistent pain or disability. A thorough examination includes reviewing the details of the accident, assessing joint movement, muscle function, and neurological status.

If you've recently been involved in a motor vehicle accident, don't assume that the absence of pain means the absence of injury. An early evaluation can help determine whether you have sustained an injury and guide the most appropriate next steps for your recovery.

Interested in learning whether an evaluation is appropriate after your accident? Contact our office today to schedule a comprehensive examination and discuss your personalized care options.

Contact Us:

Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home

Sources:

• Côté P, Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, et al. The Bone and Joint Decade 2000–2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine. Available through PubMed.

• Côté P, Wong JJ, Sutton DA, et al. Management of Neck Pain and Associated Disorders: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Available through PubMed.

• Walton DM, Carroll LJ, Kasch H, et al. An Overview of Systematic Reviews on Prognostic Factors in Neck Pain and Whiplash-Associated Disorders. Open Orthopaedics Journal. Available through PubMed.