The short answer
The most common source of neck pain after a car accident is the spinal joints of the neck. During a crash, these joints go through a shearing motion that damages them and the capsules that hold them together. Overstretched and torn muscles add stiffness, spasms and tightness.
Neck pain
The spinal joints of the neck are the main source of neck pain after a whiplash accident. A crash puts these joints through a shearing motion that damages them and the capsules that hold them together. Overstretched, torn muscles add stiffness, spasms and tightness.
Headaches
Most injured people develop headaches after a car accident. They usually come from trauma to the neck and shoulder muscles, and often from injury to the upper neck joints. Some come from pressure on delicate nerves in the upper neck or at the base of the skull.
Read more about tension type headaches.
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain usually comes from muscle spasms, inflammation and possibly a strained or torn rotator cuff. Swollen, inflamed neck joints can also refer pain to the shoulder. Expect stiff, achy muscles, less range of motion and pain that gets worse at night.
Between the shoulder blades
Most people also feel pain between the shoulder blades after a car accident. It comes from direct injury to the spinal muscles, pain referred from the neck joints, or both.
Muscle spasms
Your neck alone has dozens of muscles, and a whiplash accident overstretches them. Strained muscles contract, shorten and weaken. Knots develop and you can feel tender trigger points.
Low back pain
Low back pain after a collision has several causes. Your position in the car, the restraint system, the angle and stiffness of the seat back, and whether you braced before impact all play a part. Injuries to the discs, ligaments and muscles are common.
Arm pain and weakness
Many muscles in the upper back, shoulders and neck can be injured in a collision. Overstretched, torn muscles go into spasm, causing pain and weakness. Pain may be felt where the muscle is injured, but often it travels down an arm.
Numbness and tingling
Many patients report numbness and tingling down an arm after a car accident. The most common cause is a pinched nerve at the base of the neck. Neck muscles in spasm can also rub on these delicate nerves.
FAQ
About 60% of car accident victims develop spinal joint injuries.
Car seats offer little protection from a side impact collision, so injuries to the discs, ligaments and muscles are common.
When a rapid, violent motion overstretches a muscle, it can tear. This is called a muscular strain.
Yes. Whether you experienced pain right after the accident or developed symptoms in the days or weeks following, seek care as soon as possible.
Yes. Insurance adjusters may say little damage to your vehicle means you cannot be injured. This is a myth; research on neck trauma and whiplash has disproven it.
Talk to an expert
Dr. Peter Ray can examine you and explain what is causing your pain. Free consultation when you call (303) 438-1600.
