If you’ve ever been in a sudden stop on Ridgetop Blvd or bumped by another car near Kitsap Mall Blvd, you might remember feeling shaken but “mostly fine.” What many Silverdale drivers don’t realize is that your body is incredibly good at hiding pain in the moments—and even days—after an accident.
It’s not uncommon to walk away thinking there’s no real injury, only to wake up sore, stiff, or uncomfortable later.
Why You Don’t Feel Pain Right Away
The biggest reason? Adrenaline. Right after a crash, your body releases a surge of stress hormones to help you react quickly. This natural response sharpens your focus and can temporarily block pain signals. You may feel shaky or wired, but not necessarily hurt. Once the adrenaline fades, however, the actual impact your body absorbed becomes much clearer.
Then comes inflammation, your body’s repair process. Muscles, ligaments, and joints may have been stretched or irritated during the collision, even at low speeds. As your tissues swell in the hours that follow, nerves become more sensitive, and pain often appears long after the event.
That’s why many patients start experiencing headaches, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, or low back pain a day or two after the crash.
Understanding Delayed-Onset Symptoms
These are called delayed-onset symptoms, and they’re far more common than most people realize. At Clark Chiropractic, we frequently hear versions of the same story: “I didn’t feel anything at first, but now everything hurts.”
As Dr. Drew Clark says, “Pain is a late communicator. Your body often gives you warning signs long before you actually feel discomfort.”
When Should You See a Chiropractor?
If you’ve been in any type of accident—whether it’s a minor rear-end on NW Byron St or a merge gone wrong on Bucklin Hill Rd—it’s a good idea to get evaluated within a few days. You don’t need severe symptoms for an injury to be present.
A post-accident evaluation at Clark Chiropractic typically includes:
- A detailed conversation about what happened
- Orthopedic and neurological testing
- Assessment of joint movement and soft tissue tension
- A personalized care plan aimed at natural healing and restoring function
If you’ve recently been involved in a crash, don’t wait for symptoms to show up. Visit the Clark Chiropractic home page to schedule your evaluation and support your body’s healing naturally.